Pep Guardiola makes private admission to Man City players over record form

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has seen enough from Arsenal's recent performances to believe they can soon challenge for the Premier League title.Manchester City head to the Emirates nine places and 22 points ahead of the Gunners, who languish in 10th in the table after a fast start to the campaign under Mikel Arteta quickly tailed off.Guardiola knows the value of Arteta as a coach more than most, having enjoyed three years together in Manchester where the former Everton and Arsenal

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola praised the drive of his Manchester City players not to settle for what they have already achieved as they gear up for another fixture rush.For the second time in 10 days on Merseyside, the Blues were level at 1-1 in the second half but pushed on to claim another three points that keeps their phenomenal winning run to 17 in all competitions and stretches their lead at the top of the Premier League to 10 points with a 3-1 victory at Everton.Their success in the

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has dismissed the notion that Manchester City will gain an advantage by playing their Champions League last-16 away leg at a neutral location.City's scheduled trip to face Borussia Monchengladbach was moved to Budapest as Germany are restricting inbound flights from England for Covid-19 reasons.

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan says Phil Foden's recent form is proof that Pep Guardiola should be trusted to manage and make decisions his way.Guardiola has led Manchester City to top spot in the Premier League despite a number of injuries in key areas at various points of the season, particularly in attack.Gundogan has replaced the goals of Sergio Aguero in recent weeks, with 11 strikes in 12 Premier League appearances, while Foden has also produced some influential performances across

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is eyeing Wednesday’s trip to Everton as the ideal time for Manchester City to put their foot down in the title race.The Blues moved seven points clear of Leicester at the top with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham, although United’s victory at West Brom reduces the gap to five.However, City have a game in hand on all of their nearest rivals and play at Goodison Park on Wednesday on an evening when the only other teams in action are Burnley and Fulham.With the

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola allowed his Manchester City players a moment of praise after their demolition job on Tottenham... before claiming he would deny he had ever said anything.

straight to your inboxLast week, Phil Foden was showing why he has such a bright future ahead of him, scoring one and assisting twice as Manchester City left Liverpool's title defence in tatters and marched on to another win.Foden rightfully received plaudits for his performance at Anfield, and was rested when City beat Swansea in the cup during the week to keep him fresh for the visit of Tottenham on Saturday.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has seen enough from Liverpool to still consider them title rivals. Manchester City are 13 points ahead of the Premier League champions with a game in hand after they beat Tottenham 3-0 hours after Liverpool had collapsed to a 3-1 defeat at Leicester.

straight to your inboxWhen Pep Guardiola, serial winner and excuse avoider, started whingeing that four minutes of added time is not enough, against the team second from bottom, the depth of the problem became apparent.Manchester City were down in ninth place after that stultifying 1-1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.They were not even in the conversation when the destiny of the Premier League title was discussed, and there was even talk among the more impatient Blues of the manager’s time

straight to your inboxPhil Foden says he couldn't have asked for a better manager to bring him through than Pep Guardiola.Manchester City have been excited about Foden since he came to their academy as a boy, but it has been under the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach that he has broken into the first team.Guardiola was instantly besotted with Foden and has dismissed any suggestion that the player should go on loan to develop despite regular debate around the country about the best path

straight to your inboxJurgen Klopp sounded on Friday like a man who was getting in his excuses ahead of Liverpool's title crunch with Manchester City.The Anfield manager's crass - and untrue - comments about the Blues having a two-week "Covid break" which had helped their push to the top of the table, sparked some sharp responses from his opposite number.It surprised and puzzled Pep Guardiola, who said he had thought the German was "not that type of manager".The City boss promised to question

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has explained that Manchester City's defensive record has been so good this season because of the amount of possession his side has in games.City struggled at the back last year following the departure of Vincent Kompany and their poor defensive record was a key factor in losing their Premier League crown to Liverpool.However, that's all changed this season with the Blues conceding just 13 times, by far the least in the league.City have conceded just once in

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has labelled Manchester City captain Fernandinho as an 'authentic leader' and believes he is a great example for Rodri to follow in the defensive-midfield position. Despite suffering an injury setback at the start of the season, Fernandinho, 35, has enjoyed a brilliant return to form in recent weeks which may lead to his contract, which is set to expire in the summer, be extended once again.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City star Bernardo Silva 'struggled' in the aftermath of his ban last season over an offensive tweet.Bernardo was suspended for one game in November, 2019, after he compared teammate Benjamin Mendy to a character on a packet of Conguitos chocolates in a social media post.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola’s patience with his defence ran out in the defeat at Tottenham – and his axing of Aymeric Laporte has sent a powerful message to the rest of his squad.The Manchester City manager insisted this week that he has been delighted with the way his rearguard has reacted to last season’s traumas, buoyed by impressive new signing Ruben Dias and the revitalised John StonesAfter seeing his side rack up their 11th clean sheet from 19 Premier League games as they blitzed

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested Eric Garcia could leave Manchester City this month after resigning himself to losing the centre-back.Garcia stunned his club last summer when he informed them that he no longer saw a future for himself at the Etihad and wished instead to return to former club Barcelona.