City can win title in derby against United
We were [focused] and so far we have made an amazing Premier League season
Pep Guardiola Manchester City coach
● Manchester City are still five wins from the English Premier League title, but their ultimate victory outcome is hardly in doubt.
This, especially after their last two performances against Arsenal, whom they comprehensively beat for the second time in five days — a reminder that, whatever the permutations, their title aspirations are right on track.
With 10 games remaining City manager Pep Guardiola’s side, who meet Antonio Conte’s Chelsea today, extended their lead at the top of the table to 16 points on Thursday after another scintillating performance against a woeful Arsenal.
“It’s in our hands, we can’t deny it,” said Guardiola.
“These are the last steps to be champions. You keep going until the end,” he added.
After beating the Gunners 3-0 in the League Cup final on Sunday, City repeated that scoreline on Thursday at Arsenal’s home ground. City dominated in a toxic atmosphere in a stadium featuring many large areas of empty seats.
City’s victory was Guardiola’s 100th game at the club and extended their lead over second-placed Manchester United. Arsenal are away to Brighton and Hove Albion today, while Manchester United meet Crystal Palace tomorrow night.
“Mentally we were strong, We were clinical. We scored three outstanding goals,” Guardiola said of Thursday’s win. “It is never easy if you are not focused against teams like Arsenal. We were [focused] and so far we have made an amazing Premier League season.”
City could win the title even as early as April 7 when they face their archrivals Manchester United.
If they were to win the title that weekend it would be the earliest the Premier League title has been won.
Guardiola has now won 69 of his 100 games in charge of City and the first-half performance on Thursday was one of the best he has overseen, although he denied it afterwards.
The football was spectacular, but City also showed clinical finishing. They had scored nine goals from just 13 shots on target against Arsenal this season.
Guardiola, who has won one trophy this season, has all but sealed another and will also be eyeing the club’s first European Champions League title.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have dropped out of the top four following their defeat by Manchester United last week.
That defeat was the third in their last four league games. The defeats by Bournemouth, Watford and United have put manager Conte under immense pressure.
He has a job on his hands getting Chelsea back into the top four to qualify for the Champions League.
Losing the dressing-room
His task also comes as Liverpool and Tottenham are beginning to hit top form.
Just 12 months earlier, Chelsea were cruising towards the title only to fade on the final stretch. And Conte also seems to be losing the dressing-room and the backing of the club’s hierarchy..
He must show owner Roman Abramovich that he has a plan to get Chelsea back into contention for the Champions League. The plan will start in Manchester today.
However, the Italian is strongly rumoured to be on his way out at Stamford Bridge come what may in the remainder of the season despite Chelsea still competing on three fronts.
Conte has repeatedly clashed with the Chelsea hierarchy over his lack of input into the club’s recruitment policy. — bbc.com and AFP