'I never saw Messi play a cross like he has done' - Guardiola hails Cherki

Rayan Cherki capped an influential display with a sublime rabona cross for Phil Foden

Rayan Cherki shone against Sunderland (Nick Potts/PA)

Pep Guardiola felt Rayan Cherki outdid Lionel Messi but tempered his praise of the Frenchman after Manchester City’s comfortable victory over Sunderland.

Cherki produced one of his best performances since joining City in the summer to help them to a 3-0 victory on Saturday that cut Arsenal’s Premier League lead to two points.