City want trophies not records, says Sterling
LONDON: Raheem Sterling says Manchester City are motivated by the pursuit of silverware rather than the promise of breaking more records as the Premier League leaders chase another landmark at Crystal Palace tomorrow.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already turned the title race into a lengthy coronation party after winning 18th successive league matches to open up a 15-point lead over second placed Manchester United.
A slew of statistical milestones have littered red-hot City’s incredible run and they can finish 2017 by claiming another notable feat.
Just hours before the New Year’s Eve fireworks begin to light up the night sky, unbeaten City will be at Selhurst Park looking for a record-equalling 19th consecutive league victory.
The only club in Europe’s five biggest leagues to have had a winning run that long is Bayern Munich under Guardiola in 2013-14.
But, while the historic subplots are a welcome bonus, City winger Sterling insists it is the thought of moving another step closer to the Premier League trophy that inspires his side.
“I don’t think everyone is really too focused on records. The most important thing is the three points,” said Sterling, who scored City’s winner at Newcastle on Wednesday.
“Once you win the game and the stats come up, that’s all well and great, but you can’t be thinking about that.
“We’ve just got to have a single focus. At the end of the day, if it happens, it happens, but we need to go there with the mentality to get the job done.”
United’s failure to keep pace with City has sent Jose Mourinho into a grumpy mood, with the Old Trafford chief blasting his players after their recent draw at Leicester and demanding his employers back his plan for substantial investment in new signings.
Champions Chelsea, who meet Stoke today, are a whopping 16 points behind City in third place.
Yet defiant Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta says they will keep chasing the leaders until it’s impossible to catch them.
“Apart for Manchester City, every team is having problems. We need to fight and to keep pushing,” he said.
“We have another game against Stoke, our last game of the year, and it’s important to keep winning. We must try to go as far as we can.” AFP