Cherki's Rabona Assist Draws Mixed Response from Guardiola: 'I Never Saw Messi Do This'
Rayan Cherki's sublime rabona assist during Manchester City's victory over Sunderland this weekend drew gasps from the home crowd and may be a spark of genius to turn the tide in this season's championship battle.
But while ex-Manchester City player Steph Houghton called it the best pass of the campaign, manager Pep Guardiola was far less enthusiastic - urging the French playmaker to stick to the basics.
Cherki was the star of the show at a wet Etihad Stadium, as Guardiola's men avoided a stumble following leaders Arsenal's late loss at Aston Villa, and now sit two points off the top.
Cherki had rolled the ball to Ruben Dias for the first goal, which the defender powered home from distance, but his second assist will be talked about for years.
Cherki ran at Sunderland defender Trai Hume, sent him the wrong way, before clipping an daring rabona, which the arriving Phil Foden nodded home via the crossbar.
"I worked for that," Cherki said to television. "I know my quality, which is my skill, when I play with Phil [Foden], Erling [Haaland], Omar [Marmoush], it's very important to give the good balls for them."
That was a sublime pass but Guardiola's reaction afterwards indicated he wasn't a fan, warning Cherki should consider Argentine great Lionel Messi's approach in keeping it simple.
"I've never witnessed Messi play a cross like he has done," said Guardiola. "Messi is the greatest to play the game but I have never seen such crosses.
"Crosses are fine, right or left or whatever part of the foot, it isn't important. If it is effective, it is acceptable, but I like the simple play because I took a lesson from Messi that I never make a mistake with the fundamentals.
"Fundamentals he does perfectly, then he dribbles past four or five players. I want players to do the basics well and after that you have unique ability and he can do as he pleases.
"However, if the basics aren't there, it will be a problem. He will be in difficulty."
It still drew plenty of praise, though. Former City defender Houghton, on the BBC's Final Score, remarked: "What an assist! Pass of the campaign."
Cherki to Have a 'Huge Part' for Man City
The midfielder received a standing ovation for his virtuoso performance when he was substituted for Savinho in the closing stages.
He reacted to being named player of the match by smoothing his hair, grinning and nodding his head, aware it had been a good day at the office.
The £30m summer signing from Lyon started the season in style by finding the net in the comprehensive win of Wolves, but sustained a muscle problem thereafter which sidelined him for two months.
He now has six assists in 13 games in all tournaments this season, showing he is finding his best form for City.
The manager needed a creative spark in the final third following the departure of Kevin de Bruyne in the summer and the Frenchman may provide just that.
He created six chances against Sunderland, touching the ball 104 times and engaging in 14 duels - statistics which are superior than any other player on the pitch highlighting his influence on the game.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said on BBC Sport: "Cherki's been in and out of the City team, missing two months through injury at the beginning of the campaign, but he has wonderful skill and vision.
"Pep Guardiola is wary of having too many players in his side who aren't defensive-minded and he might consider Cherki and ask: 'Can he play centrally, can he play wide?' But Cherki is capable of unlocking teams at any moment with a bit of brilliance.
"From watching recent games, he is developing a nice relationship with Erling Haaland. When you are a centre-forward, you want players willing to attempt the final ball and Cherki is certainly a gambler.
"He showed unbelievable skill today, not only for the rabona assist, and is going to play a huge part for them moving forward."
Arsenal Will Drop 'Few Points'
City's comfortable 3-0 victory over the Black Cats cranked the heat up on Arsenal.
It was just the second loss suffered by Mikel Arteta's side this season but it could prove highly costly when the season concludes.
At the start of November, the Gunners had defeated Burnley to move nine points ahead of City but a few weeks on, that advantage has been whittled down to two.
Aston Villa have thrust themselves into the championship chase, moving just three points off the top following their notable win over Arsenal.
The City manager stated: "It's preferable to be closer than further to the top of the league but from my past of winning the Premier League and titles, it is the consistency.
"Steady performance comes from the way you play, not from the results or being two points in front or four in front. it is how you perform and how much you improve as a team. Today has been one of the finest displays of the year during 95 minutes.
"With the Premier League, I have the feeling that Arsenal are going to drop [very] few points - and if we want to be there, we have to win games and games.
"That comes from the way you perform, not just for a fortunate afternoon or fluke moment."
