MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola hailed a "perfect night" as Manchester City gave Pablo Zabaleta a stylish send-off with a comfortable 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and Yaya Toure ensured City moved up to third in the Premier League and they now need just a point from their final game to be certain of Champions League qualification.
It was also Zabaleta's final home game after nine years with the club and the Argentinian came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute to rapturous applause before being honoured by fans and players after full-time.
"Our home season was not good but we finished the last three games with good performances," Guardiola told a news conference.
"It was a perfect night, especially for Pablo. It's my first year here but when I saw what I saw tonight I see what an impact he has had for this club. Seeing women cry on the videos mean a lot. He's a legend for this club, like Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero.
"Our performance was a resume of the year. We did well, created chances then conceded a goal and didn't score as many as we deserved."
Guardiola picked out Aguero for special praise after the striker returned for his first start in three matches following a slight knock.
Although he didn't get on the scoresheet, the Argentinian had a hand in all of City's goals and Guardiola said he had done exactly what was required.
#INSERT type:image caption: Pablo Zabaleta made his final appearance in front of the Manchester City faithful in Tuesday's 3-1 win over WBA. END#
"He didn't score today but he helped us to make an assist, he made the assist for the first goal, the pass to Kevin, and the second one and third one with the double pass with Yaya," the City boss added.
"Today he played really good. It was an amazing performance."
Vincent Kompany also made his seventh successive start and again gave a solid performance alongside Nicolas Otamendi until he went off in the 77th minute -- giving his armband to Zabaleta as he left the pitch.
"Vincent has played amazing in the last games," Guardiola added. "When I see his performances I wonder what we could have been with him all season.
"When you're competing you need the top player and Vincent is a top player. We need him to put pressure on the other players."