Pep: City run and fight ‘like animals’

Manchester – Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after Gabriel Jesus (right) sealed a 1-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side took an early lead through Jesus’s closerange strike at the Etihad Stadium.

City could not add to that advantage against the bottom of the table Blades, but their rock-solid defence nailed down the points with a fifth successive league clean sheet.

“It was amazing that, in this run of 12 wins in a row, still the players run and fight like animals,” Guardiola said.

“Sheffield United are difficult opponents. We said this will be one of the toughest games of the season and it was.

“People think if we won the last game 5-0, we will win this one 5-0. This is the real world, not a fairytale.”

Second placed Manchester United were forced to settle for a dour 0-0 draw at Arsenal later on Saturday, leaving City, who have a game in hand on their rivals, firmly in pole position in the title race.

City’s winning run is now up to 12 matches in all competitions and they are unbeaten in 19 games since losing to Tottenham in November.

At that stage, it was easy to believe City would struggle to feature in the title race.

But, revitalised by Guardiola’s tactical tweaks, they are in the hunt for a third English title in four seasons despite the continued absence of star striker Sergio Aguero.

City’s winning streak is the ideal preparation for next Sunday’s trip to champions Liverpool, which comes after a visit to Burnley on Wednesday.

“Everyone has to be ready. We are so humble,” said Guardiola. Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus are always thinking about the team. I’m so grateful for them,” he added.

“In December and January to show this consistency is amazing. Yes, we will drop points, but it’s about how we manage to overcome it.

“Hopefully we react well in the bad moments which, for sure, are coming.” –