Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his side desperately had to snap their habit of losing as they ended their seven-game winless run with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
The English champions’ woeful run included six losses, which was the worst run of Guardiola’s managerial career.
With injuries to Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, however, it seemed the victory came at a cost.
“We needed it. The club, the players needed to win but it is just one game,” said Guardiola.
“The problems continue with Manu and Nathan.
“In general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and finally we won, but we have to continue.”
Injury problems have been at the centre of City’s struggles in recent months with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri out for the season due to an ACL injury.
Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the starting lineup for the first time in nearly three months showed what City had been missing as he helped restore control for Guardiola’s men.
The Belgian set up Bernardo Silva for an early opener and then slammed home himself to double City’s lead.
Jeremy Doku rounded off the scoring in the second half as the home side did not suffer a repeat of last week’s collapse from 3-0 ahead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in the Champions League.
Guardiola also dismissed suggestions before the game that there had been a rift with De Bruyne as he has been carefully managed back from injury problems.
“Last season was many months [out injured] and this season as well. I’m so happy he’s back.
“He fought a lot. In respect to his physicality and minutes against Feyenoord was not good and that’s why I decided not to play at Anfield [against Liverpool] for the rhythm they play.
“But the minutes he played at Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes,” Guardiola added.
