Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has urged Jack Grealish to tap into his "street football" instincts more as the season enters its crucial stages. Despite a challenging season, former Villa skipper Grealish played a pivotal part in City's narrow 2-1 FA Cup victory over Leyton Orient, contributing to both goals.

Savinho has been preferred in the starting line-up, leaving Grealish without a Premier League start since December, but Guardiola praised the 29 year old's performance in East London: "I’m really pleased for Jack," he said. "Jack has this sense of the street, a player of the street. "

Guardiola continued, highlighting Grealish's unique qualities: "Most of the players, for the manager they are so academic; you have to do this, you have to do that. Jack, in the stadiums when the people shout, he is there and is a fighter and I am really pleased."

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The City boss acknowledged Savinho's strong partnership with Erling Haaland but remains open to Grealish's contributions: "The last games he did not play, mainly because especially Savinho on the left side has made an incredible connection with Erling (Haaland), but the season is still open and I am happy for the performance he gave."

This isn't the first time Guardiola has rallied behind Grealish, who has struggled with fitness issues since his £100million move.

Nonetheless, Guardiola hinted at seeing glimpses of Grealish's former brilliance at Orient and anticipates more as City approach a decisive phase of their season.

Pep Guardiola has challenged his Manchester City stars to meet his high expectations, especially Jack Grealish, as Real Madrid prepares to visit the Etihad Stadium in the upcoming Champions League clash. The premier league champions are bracing for a tough schedule with upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, Liverpool, and Tottenham before February ends.

Guardiola highlighted the need for constant improvement: "I want much more. This is the level I would like to see from Jack but it has not been like that, so I like it. ".

With new players joining clubs every season, he stressed adaptation: "Clubs bring new players in every season. I don’t have the same squad as when I arrived nine years ago or when we won the treble or quadruple or the 100 points. We have maybe three, four, five, six players, not more than that, and it’s normal. Players have to understand that."

Contracts aren't the key to performance: "No new contract makes a player better, it is the competition in the locker room and on the pitch that makes the players better. They have to feel that. ".

Competition is fierce, with Savinho making an incredible impact: "You have to fight with Savinho. The impact he has had this season is amazing. Jeremy Doku is incredible, a top player as well. Phil Foden can play on the left as well. That’s the point."

Challenge acceptance is crucial for Guardiola: "He accepts and it’s never against a player from my point of view. It’s ‘OK, accept the challenge, prove you are the best’. ".

Finally, performances are what matter at the end: "I saw (against Orient) that glimpse that ‘I want to rebel, I want to show the manager how wrong he is,’ and that is the point. I love that and it had to be because at the end it’s about performance, and to deliver assists and to deliver goals."