Pep Guardiola insists Claudio Bravo is ‘best goalkeeper in the world… in training’
Manchester City boss sticks by the man he brought in from Barcelona after gifting Andrea Ranocchia late goal
PEP GUARDIOLA has issued a backhanded compliment to under-fire goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, insisting: "He is the best goalkeeper in the world... in training."
The Manchester City boss saw the £15.4million former Barcelona keeper gift Hull a late goal in the Citizens' 3-1 win at home.
Ahmed Elmohamady put City ahead before Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph put the game to bed in the second half.
But Andrea Ranocchia got an 85th-minute consolation for the visitors in what was another moment to forget for Bravo.
In his first Premier League appearance since January 21, Bravo allowed Ranocchia's tame effort - Hull's only shot on target in the game - under his left arm late on.
Bravo has faced seven shots on target in the league since January 2 - and conceded all seven.
But that did not stop Guardiola lavishing praise on his keeper.
Speaking afterwards, the Spaniard said: "Claudio is the best keeper in the world in build-up with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Manuel Neuer.
"Two or three chances in the first half Claudio created with the good build-up."
Guardiola also revealed what he thinks will happen in the race for a top four spot.
City currently occupy fourth spot on 61 points, some seven ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United, who sit fifth and sixth respectively.
He said: "I am pretty sure it is going to happen until the end. We are going to fight against Arsenal, United and Liverpool to qualify."