It is one thing to have the press and opposition fans pile on the pressure on a struggling player. It’s a different matter altogether when home fans start having fun at his expense. This is what Manchester City’s Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo’s life has come to at the Etihad after letting in yet another sloppy goal during Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup.

Just like he has innumerable times over the course of the season, City manager Pep Guardiola jumped to his player’s defence. “His performance was top – his performance with the foot helped us build up,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager said.

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“Ask the fans, the performance from Claudio was amazing, to make the build-up, nobody else can do that,” Guardiola added. “He reads when the men are free. It’s not easy to read that.”

The 34-year-old goalie was ironically cheered by the City faithful after he collected the ball safely. However, Guardiola stood by his signing firmly. “He gave us the opportunity to play. What the fans express, I’m not here to judge them.”

Asked if he was concerned about City fans turning on Bravo, Guardiola said, “No, he’s strong enough. He’s one of the best. This year he was named as one of the best five goalkeepers in the world. But I know how the media works. I’m delighted and so happy he’s with us. I know I can count on him. I can count on his behaviour when he’s playing and when he’s not playing.”

During the game, City came back from a goal down to register a 5-1 win against a weakened Huddersfield side. City were shocked in the seventh minute of the game, when Harry Bunn’s shot slipped under Bravo’s hands to find the net. A three-goal blitz in the space of eight minutes before half-time put the Sky Blues in command. Leroy Sane leveled scores and Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta scored the second and third goals.

Aguero’s fine run of form continued when he completed his brace on the other side of the break. Kelechi Iheanacho scored his side’s fifth deep into stoppage time.