PEP GUARDIOLA CLAIMED any slip would cost Manchester City the title after his side claimed a critical 3-0 win over Brighton.
City scored three times after the break at a nervy Etihad Stadium to move back above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
The champions are in control of their destiny but, with six games still remaining and just a one-point lead, City boss Guardiola says there is no room for error.
The Spaniard said: “There are six games left and if we win all the games, we are champions. If we don’t win all the games, Liverpool will be champions.
“It happened three years ago when we won 14 in-a-row to be champions. Liverpool are going to win all their games but it’s not necessary to tell that to the players, they feel it. We’re competing with one of the best teams ever.
“We have just one month, maybe five weeks. After 11 months it comes down to one month. We will do everything we can to be the best in those games.”
Kevin De Bruyne, returning to the side after sitting out Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool, provided the inspiration for City’s breakthrough.
The Belgian provided the break to tee up City’s first for Riyad Mahrez, although the Algerian’s strike took a fortunate deflection. De Bruyne then set up Bernardo Silva to wrap up victory late on after Phil Foden added a second, also with aid of a deflection.
Guardiola added: “We recovered many things today and we were doing it against a side who beat Tottenham and Arsenal away. We were so aggressive, we were patient.”
The victory secured City’s qualification for the Champions League next season and, although that had long seemed a foregone conclusion, Guardiola felt it should be acknowledged.
He said: “Today, for the whole club, is one of the most important days of the season because mathematically we will play in the Champions League next season. People take it for granted but this is a huge success.”
The downside for City, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals next week, was a potential injury to defender John Stones late in the game.
Guardiola said: “John felt something with a muscle, hopefully it’s nothing. He felt tight and didn’t want to take a risk and we’ll see in the next days.”
City had been frustrated throughout the first half by a resolute Brighton side.
Seagulls manager Graham Potter said: “They’re a fantastic team, they played really well and deserved to win.
“We defended really well in the first half but we’re disappointed with how we were on the ball. We missed too many easy passes and, in the end, their quality told, even though they had a bit of fortune with the first two goals.
“You have to put it in perspective and move on. There’s no shame in losing to them, they were better than us.”
And to think of all the Morons on here who questioned his ability cos he only scored goals in….. eh….France, Spain, Italy, holland. Now he’s scored against the dross that England has to offer they surely must be eating their words.
Imagine what he would have done in the EPL in his prime.
He’s a beast
I wanted him to fail for obvious reasons but has any other player proved to be a great player in all the top leagues, can’t think of any.
Yeah, have to give him credit. He’s already hit 20 goals with, at the very least, 18 games still to go.
A beast will you get a grip ffs
Class act.
Lots of ignorant idiots saying we wouldn’t make double figures for the season. Read the stats and weep
Hopefully he stays fit cos if he dont we’re gone.hes going the right way to becoming a club legend
I’ve been saying for years how underrated he actually is when you compare him to Messi and Ronaldo. He’s consistently been the top striker in the world and top 5 or 6 in the world for about 15 years. I’m a Liverpool fan so wanted him to fail obviously but he’s such an incredible player and should go down as one of the greatest ever
Hahaahahaah are you disturbed
How many has coutinho ?
Who the midfielder who every top club in Europe would take tomorrow . More then any midfielder the Mancs have that’s for sure .
Give it a rest Johnny what’s this got to do with him.
Who who ?? What are you a fking owl ?
Mata has the same amount of prem goals as coutinho and more overall.
They both have 5 league goals, as does Ozil and Eriksen. One more than Pog and Gareth McAuley.
Just debunking another claim from marcus bale. He’s the sean spicer of the 42!
Jenny BlaBlavo: i said who once and that joke i heard in school in 1972 i think which proves what most already know . Your a young slightly stupid little child . I’ll finish off like you do with a big Blahaahaahahahahahahahah
@Johnny Bravo: What does Coutinho have to do with this story? Ibra is an Striker. Couthinho is a midfielder. Were you born this way?
Debunking what you amadán. Brining politics into football . That’s the foreign in you i suppose . Sticking the beak in
Don’t start him off . You will get thinking he will then get a big nose bleed and just start Blahaahaahahahahahahahah out of him . Remember he is only 13 or 14 years of age and possibly a slight bit stupid
He doesn’t foreign stop
Debunking what you said! I’m comparing you to another well known fabricator of alternative truths. I’m Irish by the by not that nationality has anything to with me proving you wrong. Don’t get too upset about being called on it.
It’s getting old isn’t it!
@bognar Sussex : do you not make any of your own points or do you just go round checking other people’s for specific times dates etc… seriously are you some sort of human spell check or just a weirdo . Politics is boring but it’s desperate to mix with football and looking to then converse with . Seriously foreign
He’s finished!!
Sure has 20 and counting
I’m guessing my sarcasm was missed!
Lukaku has 16 in the league already
16 goals for Everton at this stage of season is brilliant . He is on fire . Some ability . Still only young .
Very true Marcus. They are a good side under koeman