Pep Guardiola pays tribute to influence of Gabriel Jesus on and off pitch for Manchester City

Brazil striker scored his fourth goal in as many starts as City defeated Swansea in FA Cup

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  SWANSEA CITY RATINGS: Freddie Woodman – 7. Had his hands warmed by a blistering second minute drive by Jesus, which set the tone for a busy night for Gareth Southgate’s godson. AFP

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  Connor Roberts – 6. The Wales international riled Sterling in the second half. The referee calmed the situation, but neither were on the field for much longer anyway. Reuters

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  Ben Cabango – 6. Cautioned for a foul on Gundogan, which summed up the difficult evening the hosts had against the form side in the country. AFP

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  Joel Latibeaudiere – 8. Spoiled a certain goal for Sterling just before half time with a brave block, and stopped Mendy from a yard out in similar fashion. AFP

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  Marc Guehi – 7. The powerhouse centre half rag-dolled Sterling when one-on-one with the England forward, meaning neither a shot nor a pass to Torres was conceded. He might have scored at a corner, too.

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  Ryan Manning – 6. The full back fouled Torres with a reckless challenge to give City a dangerous attacking free kick just after they had gone 2-0 up. Had his work cut out with Torres, Silva, and then Mahrez coming at him. Reuters

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  Jay Fulton – 6. The Scottish midfielder sent a header wide when well placed to equalise Walker’s goal. It was a rare moment of respite against the City waves of possession. Reuters

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  Matt Grimes – 6. The home team’s captain was diligent but had his work cut out against a midfield that was perpetually in motion. Ended frustratingly, with an errant pass, which summed up his tough night. Reuters

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  Yan Dhanda – 7. Made two incisive through balls in the first half to set up chances, and drove a shot just over from the edge of the box in the second half. Replaced after picking up a yellow card. Reuters

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  Jordan Morris – 6. The American forward on loan from Seattle Sounders was a physical presence up front, if not overly mobile. He was one of four players taken off just after the hour mark. Reuters

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  Jamal Lowe – 7. Looked eager to make a name for himself, and might have done had Garcia not blocked him off in the first half. Subbed off as soon as the game was gone. Reuters

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  SUB: Kieron Freeman – NA. No chance to influence proceedings after being sent on as one of a raft of changes. Reuters

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  SUB: Jake Bidwell – NA. City’s monopoly on possession meant he had no chance to impress after coming on in the second half. EPA

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  SUB: Paul Arriola – NA. On as part of a four-player substitution in the second phase, but he was not able to lay a glove on City. Reuters

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  SUB: Morgan Whittaker – 7. Announced himself to Swansea fans with a fine finish shortly after coming on as one of four substitutes. Reuters

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  SUB: Conor Hourihane – NA. Brought on once Dhanda was cautioned, but was unable to affect the play in the time he had. Reuters

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  MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Zack Steffen – 6. City’s American goalkeeper kicked the ball a couple of times, but scarcely made a save. Still had to pick the ball out of his net, though, after Whittaker’s goal. EPA

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  Kyle Walker – 7. Somehow his cross meandered in for the opener, and his defensive work was strong and sound. Reuters

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  Eric Garcia – 6. Had an embarrassing – if not costly slip – in his own penalty area in the first half. Might have needed to check his studs, given he did similar after the break, too. Swansea’s goal went through his legs. Reuters

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  Aymeric Laporte – 6. Should have done better with a free header at a corner and was loose with his forward passing. His defensive duties were light. AFP

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  Benjamin Mendy – 6. Cruised through his defensive duties, and joined the attack – with mixed results - from the left flank. Reuters

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  Rodrigo – 8. His exquisite pass at the start of the second half to set up Sterling all but ended the home side’s hopes of a giant killing. Worryingly limped off after a heavy tackle by Dhanda. Reuters

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  Ilkay Gundogan – 8. Continued his fine form by prompting all of City’s best work before he was swapped off when the job was done at 3-0 up. Reuters

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  Bernardo Silva – 7. Unusually, the Portugal playmaker got an assist with his head for Jesus’s goal. Showed up brightly enough before being switched off for Foden. Reuters

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  Ferran Torres – 6. Had a shot pawed away by Woodman early on, and it was his air shot that deceived the goalkeeper for Walker’s goal. Reuters

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  Raheem Sterling – 7. City’s captain for the night showed great composure for his goal, and was able to put his feet up not longer after. Reuters

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  Gabriel Jesus – 7. Stung the keeper’s fingers in the second minute, and hurt his ankle in the process. He might have feared a frustrating night when hit the stanchion from a Mendy cross, but he later took his goal adroitly. Reuters

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  SUB: Riyad Mahrez – 6. Perky enough after coming on for Sterling, without making an appreciable impact. Reuters

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  Tommy Doyle – 6. His most notable contribution was blazing a free kick into the defensive wall. Should have found Foden when through on goal later on. AFP

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  Phil Foden – 6. Just enough time to loosen up after his stellar show at Liverpool last time out. He saw a shot deflected over the bar. Reuters

Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to the growing influence of Gabriel Jesus both on and off the pitch as Manchester City continue to fight on four trophy fronts.

Jesus has not been an automatic starter in the Premier League this season, even in the absence of Sergio Aguero through injury and illness.

But the Brazil striker has been in fine form and scored his fourth goal in as many starts as Guardiola's side reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win at Swansea on Wednesday.

It was Jesus' eighth goal of the season and made this the 23-year-old's best run since scoring in seven straight starts between April and October 2019.

Guardiola, who had dropped Jesus to the bench for Sunday's 4-1 Premier League win at Liverpool, said: "It does a lot for his confidence. He could have scored more but he played really, really well.

"He was incredible at Anfield in the locker room when he didn't play. He was incredibly supportive to his mates. When a guy is like this he is so supportive to the other ones.

"When he plays, he always plays good. It's important for strikers to score. He was brilliant, really brilliant."

City's 15th consecutive victory in all competitions set a new record by an English top-flight club, eclipsing the previous mark held by the Preston side of 1891-92 and Arsenal in 1987.

The League Cup finalists return to Premier League action at home to Tottenham on Saturday and then visit Everton and Arsenal before their Champions League campaign resumes against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Ruben Dias and Fernandinho missed the trip to south Wales, while Rodri limped off during the final quarter at Swansea. The trio will be assessed ahead of the Spurs game.

"I didn't speak with him but the doctor didn't tell me anything," Guardiola said of Rodri's condition. "Hopefully, he will be fit. We will see in the next hours.

"He's playing really well, like the last few weeks. His presence, his personality. He has [played well] all season, I would say."

Swansea's defeat was their first in 10 games and the bigger picture for them is chasing promotion to the Premier League.

The Swans are currently third in the Championship, two points behind second-placed Norwich with a game in hand.

Manager Steve Cooper said: "I said I wanted us to play with ambition and sometimes we showed signs of it. I want to look at how we're going to get better from it.

"We will always learn from what we do, in the tough moments as well as the highs and we'll look to take it into our game going forward."