Pep Guardiola: 'We need Sergio Aguero'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on striker Sergio Aguero after he scored two goals in the side's 4-0 triumph at West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

The Argentine had gone eight games without scoring for club or country prior to the encounter but struck twice in the space of eight first-half minutes to help City to all three points in the Midlands and end a six-game winless streak.

"We need Sergio," Guardiola told reporters after the game. "We know how important he is for us when he can convince us how good he is and how important he is for this club. He is part of the history for this club. I would like to help him. Still he can write the most brilliant images for himself in this club. He is one of the best.

"I am going to help him to be much, much better. That is my target. So that every game he feels how important he is. I'm so, so happy for him because with all of that he is one of the nicest people I have met."

Guardiola also admitted that he had harboured "doubts" over the club's winless streak prior to the game, which had represented his worst ever run as a top-flight manager and City's worst run in eight years.

"When we lose there are always doubts. Also in the second half I had doubts when we didn't play too well. I had doubts and saw what we had to improve. It's the first time I have not won in six games. Always you have doubts. Not over the principles."

The result in the Midlands saw Guardiola's side return to the top of the Premier League with a six-goal advantage over Liverpool ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace this evening.