Guardiola sends a special message to players after Fulham demolition

PEP Guardiola made a point of congratulating City players immediately after their 5-1 win over Fulham despite not being at the Etihad Stadium.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Guardiola is resting up in Barcelona after back surgery that has caused him to miss the last two Premier League games, with assistant Juanma Lillo taking charge.

His absence has not halted the progress of the team, who have 12 points from 12 to top the table in the early stage of the season.

Lillo, who returned to the club this summer after a year as a head coach in Qatar, had made it clear that he was not enjoying stepping up to be the stand-in manager and confirmed that Guardiola would continue to play an instrumental role in the coaching of the team. "Pep is always there," he said.

Lillo was in regular contact with the coach through the week to make sure they were prepared to his liking. City's coaching staff had a pair of headphones for the matches to allow Guardiola, watching remotely, to communicate his ideas to them and pass on to the players.