Giddy Guardiola hails City effort

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was a happy man after his team cruised into the FA Cup semifinals with a comfortable 2-0 win at Premier League rival Middlesbrough on Saturday.

David Silva opened the scoring just three minutes into the match and Sergio Aguero struck again in the 67th minute, with the visitor missing numerous chances in between to win by a bigger margin.

"I am so happy to be there," Guardiola said after a solid display ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 return leg at Monaco, where City will defend a 5-3 lead.

"We made a good performance, we were there from the beginning. The game should have been over after 30 minutes, before but we missed a few chances."

Guardiola's attacking formation, featuring Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane behind Aguero, paid instant dividends as City carved open the home team's defense.

City threatened to run riot in the closing stages, but Sterling and Silva missed glittering chances.

"When you attack good, you defend good," said Guardiola, still in the hunt for three trophies in his first season at City.

"We defend 40 meters away. I always believe that when the ball is far away, we are safe.

"I'm confident ahead of Monaco, but not for the result. I'm confident because I am pleased the most as I like to work with these guys. I'm so happy."

Reuters