Pep Guardiola brands Adebayo Akinfenwa “a legend of football”

Pep Guardiola has heaped on the praise of Adebayo Akinfenwa following the player’s appearance for Wycombe Wanderers at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

The player was a handful all night, but ultimately it was Guardiola’s men who served up a 6-1 thrashing at City’s ground.

The win means the home side – and competition titleholders – and will enter the fourth round of the tournament, with further Carabao Cup games to be played later today.

But 39-year-old Akinfenwa still left a moment to remember with his showing.

Guardiola said: “They faced a legend of English football, it was an absolute pleasure to meet him,.

“It’s not easy to do it but they did very well. We are going to review the game and show them how to solve the problems. But there was not one bad performance.”

Down with the kids

Guardiola also took the time to thank his young prospects for their displays during the tie.

“I just have to say thank you to the academy,” Guardiola said after the game via Sky Sports.

“They all do an incredible job.

“You have the feeling that we have not just one or two potential players but many of them. The academy gives them the right values to become good professional players and they have the talent.

“We have the feeling that we can count on them. We saw it today a little bit and we know how good they are. As manager of the first team, I can enjoy it, I can use them.”

Man City have enjoyed a bright start to the season, but concerns remain whether they can go on to win the title without the signing of a striker.

They had a bid for Harry Kane rejected and only bolstered their attacking midfield – the signing of Jack Grealish for £100miillion was a Premier League record.