Sergio Aguero needs time to return to best form, says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Manager says team's 20-match winning run may be greatest accomplishment

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 5: Maybe for every fabulous assist (against Tottenham) he’s allowed one errant day of kicking. Dangerous early pass to Fernandinho put captain under pressure, and later hurt himself when did well to collect a high cross ahead of Dawson. Rarely tested. PA

Kyle Walker - 7: Super raking pass almost set Mahrez in on goal in first half, and smashed one effort across the area in second. Sent De Bruyne on his way, which nearly yielded a goal. Timely interception when Antonio threatened at one stage. PA

Ruben Dias - 9: As accomplished as ever on the ball, but displayed the threat he carries up front by heading home the game’s opening goal – his first for the club since joining last summer. Few decisive headers to clear dangerous. A snip, ahem, at $80-odd million. AP

John Stones - 9: Not to be outdone by his supreme partner in central defence, the defender swept City to three points with fantastic finish on 68 minutes. Good positioning to both block shots and cut off crosses, and strong in the air when needed. Resurgence great to see. Reuters

Oleksandr Zinchenko - 6: A left-back in nothing but name, popped out mainly in central midfield, or wherever he saw fit. Requited to offer a firm, committed challenge on Coufal right at the death to halt a potentially dangerous cross. Didn’t do a lot. Didn’t really need to. AP

Ilkay Gundogan - 4: : The standout performer of recent months, perhaps throughout entire Premier League, but didn’t have his finest day overall. Made little impact, highlighted by an overcooked pass to Aguero. Withdrawn with a minute remaining as City shut up shop. AP

Fernandinho - 6: In for Rodri at base of City’s midfield and reclaimed the armband. Led his side well, sitting deep and plugging gaps when called upon. Smart, cynical foul late on to stop Lingard in his tracks, then picked up his now-mandatory booking in the dying moments. AP

Riyad Mahrez - 8: Lively out on the right, but generally over hit final pass and looked likely to drift from match. Jolted into life to supply a clever pass to pick out Stones and put his side back into the lead. Proved to be the winner. Job done. AFP

Kevin De Bruyne - 7: Sumptuous left-footed cross from deep set up Dias for the opener, while moving him joint-top for league assists this season. However, uncharacteristically loose with passing after the break, despite almost creating another. Still had major say. Getty

Ferran Torres - 5: Showed glimpses out wide, and shot straight at Randolph on the half hour. Poor pass allowed Fornals to steam forward, although nothing came of it. Did well to cut out chance as Coufal lurked, which was his last contribution before bineg subbed. EPA

Sergio Aguero - 3: Making his first Premier League appearance since January 3, the rust was evident when he gave away the ball that led to Antonio’s equaliser. Look off the pace for the majority, then deservedly subbed on the hour. Obviously needs game time. AFP

SUBS: Gabriel Jesus - (On for Aguero 61') 4: : Introduced on the hour to provide some more attacking thrust for the hosts. The Brazilian didn’t have a huge effect on the game, but occupied the West Ham defence to a greater degree than the man he replaced. PA

Phil Foden - (On for Torres 65') 5: Came off bench in October to score and rescue a point in the corresponding fixture, and was given 25 minutes to once more make his mark. Gave Coufal enough to keep him on his toes, helping his team see out the match. AFP

Rodri - (On for Gudogan 89') N/A. PA

WEST HAM RATINGS: Darren Randolph - 5: Making only his second league appearance since Lukasz Fabianski wasn’t available, had no chance with either goal. Was alert enough to race off line to thwart Mahrez, then shrugged off an injury at start of second half. EPA

Craig Dawson - 6: Proving yet again to be a shrewd signing. Blocked well block as Mahrez got away his shot on edge of area, then threw himself in front of Foden’s cross in typically full-blooded fashion. Blameless for either City goal. AP

Issa Diop - 6: Could have rescued a point in injury-time when rose unmarked to meet Lingard’s tantalising cross, only to mistime his header. The anguish as it narrowly evaded Soucek, too. Otherwise a decent display, helped no doubt by Aguero’s struggles. AFP

Aaron Cresswell - 5: Deployed as the left-sided centre-back in a back three, was in the right spot to flick away a dangerous City cross when a queue of opponents over his shoulder. Not as accurate as usual from set-pieces, though. . Reuters

Vladimir Coufal - 6: Was strong in the challenge throughout, coupled with astute anticipation at times, before his surging run created the visitors’ equaliser. Dogged display and, like the rest of his fellow defenders, probably unlucky not to help seal a point. PA

Declan Rice - 5: Did the usual screening role in front of what this time was a back five, although didn’t provide the platform going forward. The away side’s captain had one driving run from deep, only to waste the opportunity to release a teammate. Getty

Tomas Soucek - 7: Apparently covered more ground than anyone in Premier League this season and can see why. Telling interception to prevent Torres shot, then almost set up Antonio with a clever header. Part penetrating presence through midfield, part defensive rock. Reuters

Ben Johnson - 4: Hardly quick out of the blocks on his return to the starting line-up. Brought in to offer both width and protection as a left wing-back, was sloppy in possession and booked in first-half for pull on Mahrez. Taken off in final throes. Getty

Pablo Fornals - 5: Started brightly with some probing passing and linked up well with Lingard and Antonio, only to fade somewhat. Dallied on ball after latched onto Torres misplaced pass. Subbed late on as had disappeared from the action. Getty

Jesse Lingard - 7: An instant hit since joining the club from Manchester United, he registered an assist when his cross-cum-shot found Antonio at back post. Would’ve had a second had Diop not woefully headed wide in injury-time. Reuters

Michail Antonio - 8: Should’ve done better when swivelled inside area, but struck outside of the post. Didn’t take long to put that right, though, glancing home from on the line to draw his side level. Mostly excellent as lone striker. Subbed off late when visibly tired. EPA

SUBS: Said Benrahma - (On for Antonio 84') N/A. Jarrod Bowen - (On for Johnson 84') N/A. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Sergio Aguero needs time to recapture his best form after a prolonged period on the sidelines and warned the Argentine he will have to fight for his spot in the squad.

A combination of injuries and Covid-19 have restricted Aguero to 11 appearances this season. He made his first start in four months in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win over West Ham United, which marked City's 20th straight victory in all competitions.

Guardiola said Aguero, City's record scorer with 256 goals, remains a key player of the team.

"He knows it from day one, the guys who play deserve to play," Guardiola said. "It's not just for Sergio - it's for everyone. I try to make fair decisions.

"Sergio is so important for us. He has special talents and special quality.

"There will be games that are tight and difficult and we need a goal - who is the best guy in these terms? Him.

"But he is coming back after a year and needs time."

City are top of the table with 62 points after 26 games, 12 points above rivals Manchester United.

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City's 20-match winning run

1) The first win in Manchester City's incredible run came on December 19, 2020 - a 1-0 victory at Southampton in the Premier League. Getty

2) The League Cup quarter-final saw a 4-1 win for City at Arsenal on December 22. Getty

3) Boxing Day, and a 2-0 win for Manchester City against Newcastle in the Premier League. Getty

4) January 3, 2021, and a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge brought a fine 3-1 win for City over Chelsea. Getty

5) The League Cup semi-final on January 6: Manchester United 0 Manchester City 2. Getty

6) January 10, FA Cup third round: Manchester City 3 Birmingham City 0. Getty

7) January 13, Premier League: Manchester City 1 Brighton 0. Getty

8) January 17, Premier League: Manchester City 4 Crystal Palace 0. Getty

9) January 20, Premier League: Manchester City 2 Aston Villa 0. Getty

10) January 23, FA Cup fourth round: Cheltenham Town 1 Manchester City 3. Getty

11) January 26, Premier League: West Bromwich Albion 0 Manchester City 5. Getty

12) January 30, Premier League: Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0. Getty

13) February 3, Premier League: Burnley 0 Manchester City 2. Getty

14) February 7, Premier League: Liverpool 1 Manchester City 4. Getty

15) February 10, FA Cup: Swansea 1 Manchester City 3. AP

16) February 13, Premier League: Manchester City 3 Tottenham 0. EPA

17) February 17, Premier League: Everton 1 Manchester City 3. AFP

18) February 21, Premier League, Arsenal 0 Manchester City 1. AFP

19) February 24, Champions League, Borussia Monchengladbach 0 Manchester City 2. PA

20) February 27, Premier League, Manchester City 2 West Ham United 1. AP

21) March 2, Premier League, Manchester City 4 Wolves 1. Reuters

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Guardiola said overseeing the team's 20-game winning run may be one of the greatest achievements of his glittering career.

Goals from Ruben Dias and John Stones fired City to a 2-1 win over the Hammers and moved them 12 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table.

City racked up a record 100 points in their title-winning campaign in 2017/18 and won all four domestic trophies the following season but Guardiola believes their current win streak in a season impacted by the coronavirus pandemic ranks as one of his finest moments.

"In this period, in this era, with this situation, to be able to do 20, maybe it is one of greatest achievements we have done together in our careers," Guardiola said.

"That doesn't mean a title win but this period in time, the toughest period in England, [to have] no one week of rest for three or four months, every three days a game, with the Covid, injury situations. To be on this kind of run - winning, winning, winning - means mental strength."

City host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.