Pep Guardiola after Omar Marmoush hat-trick: ‘We knew sooner or later he would score goals’ | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola was adamant Omar Marmoush would come good for Manchester City, after the Egyptian scored a first half hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Newcastle.

City hit back from their dramatic late defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League during midweek to batter fellow European place challenger Newcastle comfortably.

Marmoush’s hat-trick, which came in a 13-minute spell, opened his City account in style, whilst academy midfielder James McAtee scored a late second half to wrap up a convincing win.

Guardiola was delighted with Marmoush’s impact on the match, saying he felt the goals would come for their £59 million man:

“The way we played, we remembered what we were and what we have not been this season,” Guardiola said. “[Omar] Marmoush did really well in Germany, a player with his quality and pace, I was pleased with the way he scored. Against Orient he missed chances, but today in the final third he was really good.

“We knew sooner or later he would score goals, he is a good finisher. Of course he has to improve, but now we see how he handles the compliments.”

Guardiola was also full of praise for his other January signings Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov, the Spanish midfielder in particular, after they contributed to the big win.

“We always try, but sometimes we cannot do it. I am really pleased with the pace and intensity we had up front, Nico [Gonzalez] and [Abdukodir] Khusanov were extraordinary. We need to win these games to qualify for the Champions League. We have to make this kind of performance to send our people home happy.

“We were really good, good energy up front. Gonzalez helped us a lot, I was really pleased because we needed him, it has been a tough three months.

“He is our mini Rodri! He has a huge presence, his pace, and his time at Barcelona academy, it is all about the ball and positioning. He has the desire to have success in the Premier League, he is here to prove himself.”