Pep: Everything is in our Hands
GUARDIOLA SAYS THE MATCH AGAINST CHELSEA ON MONDAY (FJ TIME) WILL BE CRUCIAL
Man City are back on top – and the question now is whether anyone can knock them off their perch.
Goals from Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus secured victory against Everton, but City still face huge game against Chelsea at the Etihad yesterday. Liverpool have the chance on Saturday when they face Bournemouth at Anfield – but based on the past week, that is by no means a given.
It all seemed to become too real for Jurgen Klopp’s side once they saw the finishing line in sight.
Back-to-back draws against Leicester and West Ham raising serious doubts about their title credentials. There are only so many times you can let this City team off the hook.
It what looks like a pivotal week of the season, Pep Guardiola’s men are two thirds of the way through, with maximum points so far. Chelsea are still to come on Monday (FJ time), but this 2-0 win against Everton – after Sunday’s demolition of Arsenal – has reinstalled the reigning Premier League champions as the team to beat. The table has a familiar look about it.
And an ominous one as far as Liverpool are concerned.
To put this game into context, City were bang average by their high standards.
Their attacks lacked fluidity and speed.Against a dogged Everton they were short of invention – short on confidence in the final third.
“We are leaders, but there are 12 games to play - a lot of points. I think we are going to drop points - hopefully as few as possible - and the opponents are going to drop points,” Guardiola said.
“I don’t think anyone is going to win 12 games in a row.
“One month ago we could have been 10 points behind with the game against Liverpool and seven days ago we could have been seven points behind. Now we are top of the league. “Everything is in your hands. Try to win your games because life changes immediately.”
Guardiola claims Liverpool’s trip to their Merseyside rivals and the showdown with Manchester United will be significant hurdles in the run-in.
City, meanwhile, have overcome Arsenal and Everton in a pivotal week, which ends with Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.
That has piled the pressure on Klopp, who has seen his side drop vital points in back-to-back games against Leicester and West Ham. Guardiola added: “We started well with Arsenal and Everton, but now comes a really, really big test - a big bull.
“Chelsea is an exceptional team with seven days to prepare for that game. We will try.