Pep Guardiola impressed with Wydad Athletic after tricky Club World Cup opener

The Premier League outfit scored at either ends of the first half as Phil Foden hit the target with two minutes played before Jeremy Doku slotted home with 42 minutes of the match played.

But it wasn't all one-way traffic at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia as Wydad created number of good attacking opportunities.

Thembinkosi Lorch received widespread prise for his display that including sending City keeper Ederson scrambling to keep out a first half effort and playing in Cassius Mailula for Wydad’s best chance of the tie.

Guardiola though first of all lauded Wydad goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid. He said on iDiski Times: "First of all the keeper has incredible delivery in the three quarter positions, so they defend five in the back, 5-4-1, which I didn't expect because they always play four at the back but when we allowed them to play that had good quality.

"We had our moments, many chances, clear ones, they had one or two chances, so in general, with the conditions I give credit to both teams, some times we demand more aggression, more movement but it's not easy with this weather but yeah first three points."

City are next in action against Al Ain on Monday. The United Arab Emirates side lost to Italian giants Juventus 5-0 on Wednesday.

"It's important so now there's the second one, win the next one and be qualified, then we see if we can be first or second [in the group], we need to improve things, which is normal with all these players," said the City boss.