FROM TOON BOOM TO
After Newcastle defeat we were all very sad because we thought we’d lost the league but now the race is back on. Mentally, this is a big boost
AND they say a week is a long time in politics.
Last week, when Bernardo Silva sat in the away dressing room at St James’ Park, he and his Manchester City teammates thought they had blown their title chances.
A shock defeat to Newcastle left them four points behind Liverpool, having played a game more, and Kopites were joking on social media that Rafa Benitez had finally helped his beloved Reds win the Premier League.
Yet Liverpool’s draw at home to Leicester 24 hours later gave City fresh hope before two more dropped points at West Ham on Monday let them right back in.
Pep Guardiola’s champions seized their unexpected opportunity, beat Everton and returned to the top of the table for the first time since December 16.
Liverpool have a game in hand, but it is at Manchester United on February 24, and there is a real belief City are back in control of the title race.
Silva said: “After Newcastle, it was very tough on us. We were very disappointed, more than anyone else.
“The players, the staff, we were all very sad because we all thought we had lost the league in that game.
“Fortunately, Liverpool drew against Leicester and that gave us a little bit of hope. Then there was another draw against West Ham and that meant the race was on.
“Mentally, this is a big boost for us. We will try to keep doing our job and not relax as we did against Newcastle.”
As well as the title race, City have turned conventional football wisdom on its head since the turn of the year.
They were the ones expected to tire under the demands of playing every three days, while Liverpool were supposed to be fresher and stronger because of their lighter schedule. Yet City have rattled off nine wins out of
10 games this year in all competitions, while Liverpool have just two wins and two draws from their six matches as they struggle with injuries and loss of form.
City remain on course for the Quadruple and Silva says the players love the intensity of playing so often.
“In my opinion, it’s not problematic at all, especially when you have a squad like ours,” said the Portuguese.
“If we don’t have injuries – and I hope we don’t – then I think we can cope, no problem at all. The worst thing for us is having to wait to play, when
you have seven days or 10 days between games.
“It’s so boring when you have seven days without a game. This is what we love to do. It’s good to have lots of games as it means we’re fighting for everything. Mentally it is good. We will try to do it.
“We know what it means to win. We’re still the champions and know what we have to do.”
City could hardly be more confident heading into Sunday’s clash with Chelsea and are keen to avenge their loss to Maurizio Sarri’s Blues in December.
Silva says City expect another titanic battle with a team he rates highly.
“We know we’re not only playing against one of the best sides in the Premier League, but in the world,” he said.
“We played there, we lost. We played them in the Community Shield at the beginning of the season and won.
At home, with our fans, we will try to do our best to win and keep the pressure on.”