The sun sets behind the mystery of City.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed his side’s 3-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday evening, a result that keeps the Premier League title race alive.
The win lifts City to 64 points from 31 games, cutting the deficit to leaders Arsenal—who have 70 points from 32 matches—to just six points, ramping up the title race in the closing stages of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, led by manager Liam Rossiner, remain on 48 points in sixth place after 32 matches, continuing to produce inconsistent results this season.
The secret to continuity
Guardiola said after the match: “We’re in better shape, and in training everyone knows exactly what they have to do. We’ve faced three strong opponents, three Champions League teams. We didn’t put in a complete performance for the full 90 minutes, but we were organised enough, didn’t concede many chances, and our attacking threat was always there.”
He added:One of our secrets as a club and a system is that, after one success after another, we have remained humble and have always asked ourselves: what must we do to stay at the top? Winning once or twice is normal, but to remain at the top for nine years—with the exception of last season—reflects the strength of the entire system.”
The Sun’s Joke
Asked why Manchester City have been in such fine form in the final stages of the season, Pep Guardiola joked: “The sun! If it had been shining in November, we’d have been league champions by January… No, I’m joking, of course. In Manchester, the sun doesn’t shine very often.”
Looking ahead to next Sunday’s 32nd-round clash with Arsenal in the Premier League, he added: “That game will feel like a final for both teams, but there is a tactical detail we need to review, so we may make some adjustments.”
He added, “Everyone is talking about the Arsenal game, but matches against Brentford, Bournemouth and the other sides are just as important. The season is still long.”
Respect comes before the clash.
He added: “There is no pressure on Arsenal; they have built a strong team over the past two years, and we must respect that. Beating them will be a very difficult task.”
Guardiola added, “I have great respect for Arsenal and for what they have achieved in recent years. I know the manager and the players well, and I know their quality and how they compete in all circumstances.”
He then addressed City’s supporters, urging them to “respect Arsenal, because they are an exceptional team. Join us from the first minute and back us—the players will give their all.”