The Premier League champions ended a seven-match winless run with a 3-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday (04.12.24) and the coach is grateful that his team got back to winning ways.

Guardiola said: "We needed it.

"The most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and finally we won, but we have to continue.

"The club, the players, everyone needed to win. After recent events, we weren't truly relaxed until the final whistle."

Kevin de Bruyne excelled as he made his return to City's starting XI and Guardiola is thrilled to have the playmaker fit again after an injury-ravaged season so far.

He said: "I am so happy he is back. He played 75 fantastic minutes.

"He deserves the best because he's a lovely guy and has been massively important for so many years since he arrived."

However, Guardiola urged caution when it comes to managing the playmaker's time on the field.

The City manager said: "We'll see how he recovers after a long injury layoff. The reality is he played few games last season and this season."

De Bruyne's lack of minutes during City's disastrous run had led some pundits to question if there was a rift between player and coach but the midfielder has denied such talk.

The Belgian international said: "There have never been issues between me and Pep. He knows I've been struggling. It's painful and uncomfortable.

"Hopefully I can get back to my body with not much pain and then I'll be fine."