Pep Guardiola has said the Premier League title race will be “over” if his Manchester City side drop points at West Ham on Saturday.
City visit the relegation-threatened Hammers a few hours after Arsenal’s home game with Everton, live on Sky Sports.
The Gunners can move 10 points clear for a few hours at least if they beat David Moyes’ side and Guardiola said his team, who lost 3-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, have no room for error.
“Now it’s West Ham, that defines the Premier League,” said Guardiola. “The league is the most difficult title. I believe it’s the most difficult one.
“Now we go there knowing that if we drop points it will be over.”
City dropped points last time out in the Premier League courtesy of a 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest – who are in a similar position to Saturday’s opponents West Ham in the table.
“I’ve always said when we arrive in the last 10 games every team plays for something,” said Guardiola. “For relegation, for Europa League, for Conference League, for Champions League, to be champions.
“It’s normal, every game. Now there are no second chances.”
Pep defends Real Madrid team selection
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Guardiola defended his team selection following the defeat at Real Madrid
“How many times do I say Pep is a genius?”
That was the fiery response from the City boss as he defended his team selection for the 3-0 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
A Federico Valverde hat-trick put Los Blancos into a commanding position in their round-of-16 tie ahead of next week’s second-leg trip to the Etihad.
While Guardiola made no bones about the fact that he will have to rotate his squad, he was quick to jump to the defence of his selection in the Spanish capital.
“I said to you after the press conference in Madrid, there are logical reasons for that [team selection]. The momentum of the players and many things,” Guardiola said ahead of the West Ham game.
“Listen, I played a final in the Champions League without Fernandinho as a holding midfielder against Chelsea. Do you think that’s normal? No, honestly. I played (Ilkay) Gundogan at that moment.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the Premier League show, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson shares his thoughts as Manchester City face West Ham in the Premier League, Real Madrid in the Champions League and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final over the next seven days
“I was destroyed. They were right, but in that moment, I knew how he’s playing and Fernandinho was playing.
“I can explain that to you, but is that going to convince you for the next time? If you win, you’re a genius. How many times have I said ‘Pep is a genius for the team selection?’ I don’t waste my time.
“My players are extraordinary, and they were extraordinary in many things. You can say whatever you want. I will convince you, when the selection is made. I want to rotate the team; we want to be good.
“After 10 years, I will not convince any one of you. Why? Because we lost. And that’s all. I had to do my job the best I could, knowing that if we win, it’s good. So, if we lose, it’s bad.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
