Pep looks to finish season in style
Guardiola hails City’s campaign as ‘almost perfect’ after breaking Chelsea’s record for most points
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola is targeting 100 points to cap an ‘almost perfect season’ after champions Manchester City set a hat-trick of Premier League records and home fans said farewell to veteran midfielder Yaya Toure.
City’s 3-1 win against Brighton on Wednesday took them to 97 points and 105 goals for the season as they registered their 31st win of the campaign — all three are new records.
City boss Guardiola said: “97 points, a lot of goals, a lot of wins — that’s a consequence of the season we have done. It’s good. Now it’s one more game (away against Southampton on Sunday). We’re going to try for 100 points and finish this almost perfect season in the Premier League.”
Guardiola said he agreed with those who argue that City need to win more titles to be considered the equals with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
“In the end, we have won one Premier League — three in six years, but in this moment just one. They won a lot of things,” he said. “But in terms of statistics and numbers, this season we were the best, and that’s why we are so satisfied. Once, a team will arrive and do better than us but they will have to do really good.”
KANE FIRES SPURS INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
LONDON: Harry Kane fired Tottenham into next season’s Champions League as Chelsea faltered in a 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield on Wednesday that secured survival for the Terriers.
A point for Huddersfield also ensures Swansea will join West Brom and Stoke in being relegated to the Championship barring a 10-goal swing in goal difference between the Welsh side and Southampton on the final day of the season on Sunday.
At the other end of the table, only defeat for Champions League finalists Liverpool at home to Brighton at the weekend will give Chelsea any chance of a top-four finish as their late season charge came undone at Stamford Bridge. Spurs capitalised on Chelsea’s slip-up to ensure they will have Champions League football for a third consecutive campaign when they move into a new stadium next season.
“For the club (it) is a massive thing to move to the new stadium and play Champions League,” said Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.