Marmoush deserves big credit - Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says he’s been impressed by the way January recruit Omar Marmoush has settled in against the backdrop of a tougher-than-usual season for City.

Marmoush was on target in the 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace this weekend taking his tally of goals to seven to date.

The 26-year-old hit a hat-trick in the 4-0 thumping of Newcastle, bagged another goal in the 2-2 draw with Brighton, scored the winner in our 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final triumph at Bournemouth as well as a decisive second in the 2-0 home success over Leicester before dragging us level against the Eagles.

City went into this campaign as history-making four-in-a-row Premier League champions.

But this term has proved difficult for Pep Guardiola’s men as injuries have hit hard across the squad.

MATCHDAY PASS | CITY 5-2 CRYSTAL PALACE

Despite that, the Blues are battling to make it into the top five and thereby reach the Champions League next season.

And Guardiola has praised Marmoush’s impact in that UCL push since arriving in the last window.

“The numbers are really good,” said the boss.

“He arrived in the middle of the season and in a moment when we are not good.

“Sometimes when you come when everything is fluid and everything is fine it’s easy to adapt.

“But coming when the team is not playing good, that is a big credit.”

Marmoush was a menace throughout a thrilling afternoon triumph over the Eagles.

The Egyptian scored one and could have netted more in a blistering forward display.

Guardiola was pleased with his No.7’s passion on the pitch.

“When a team likes to get the ball, he makes runs and understands the intensity you have to play,” the boss added.

“One goal again, he could have scored easily [more].

“Maybe for the first [chance] he was being pulled by the defender, and with the last one for the assist from Kevin, like Macca he could have scored three goals easy - he’s one-on-one in front of the keeper.

“That is what the team has to try to do is deliver that.

“The only way to score and demand to score. And the only way to score and create chances is to play good and today we did it.”