The City boss lavished praise on Bournemouth and their coach Iraola after they rose up to second in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal, and having lost just one of their nine matches this season. The Cherries' excellent form has been extra impressive after they sold three-quarters of their first-choice back four and parted with forward Dango Outtara in the summer. They have the lowest net spend in the league, turning a profit of £87m.
Guardiola said: "They are top. How coordinated they are with the hierarchy with the sporting directors, with the managers and with the players - they have a clear philosophy and that doesn't change. Of course players change and other things but it is impressive. When you lose three or four players from a back four to Real Madrid and Liverpool and you reimburse the team and do it in that way it is because they have a lot of good work behind them."