Pep Guardiola urges Man City to stay focused ahead of Tottenham test

Sport360 staff 07:35 28/10/2018
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  • Pep Guardiola has challenged Manchester City to prove they are still the Premier League’s preeminent force as the champions face a key test against title rivals Tottenham on Monday.

    Since losing to Lyon in the Champions League in September, Guardiola’s side have gone on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

    City have won six of those matches, with the only draw a goalless stalemate against Liverpool that ranked as an impressive result given their struggles at Anfield last season.

    An eye-catching 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday prompted Guardiola to hail the performance as City’s best this season.

    Given City had just thrashed Burnley 5-0, while also enjoying a 5-0 win at Cardiff and a 6-1 demolition of Huddersfield this term, that ranks as high praise from the Spaniard.

    But Guardiola knows much sterner tests lie in wait for City, starting against a Tottenham side who have made their best start to a Premier League season.

    “Always it’s tough. It was in my first season here. I didn’t expect any more,” Guardiola said.

    “Nothing is going to change my opinion of my team. I want to focus to win the game and give a good performance, knowing the quality of the Spurs side.

    “But it’s not going to finish anything. After this it’s Fulham, Southampton, Manchester United and Shakhtar.”

    While City are in good form, there is less attention on the champions this season as free-scoring Liverpool and revitalised Chelsea and Arsenal have taken the spotlight.

    Liverpool knocked City off the top with a 4-1 win over Cardiff on Saturday, but Guardiola’s men can regain pole position on goal difference if they beat Tottenham at Wembley.

    Having already won at Arsenal and held Liverpool at bay, seeing off Tottenham would show City remain the cream of the crop.

    Crucially, Guardiola feels the competition for places in his star-studded squad is keeping everyone on top of their game.

    “All the players want to play good, be ready, be part of the team. We are lucky to have a squad with huge quality,” he said.

    “They try to play good because if it doesn’t happen, others are ready.”

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