CITY ON PATH TO LEGENDARY RUN

Mahrez hails focus as records start falling

RIYAD MAHREZ says Manchester City want to keep breaking top-flight records this season as they close in on silverware on four fronts.

The City forward’s second-half strike against Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night sent City past the previous best of nine straight wins from the start of a calendar year, eclipsing a mark set by Manchester United and Bolton.

But Mahrez maintained that such is the hunger within Pep Guardiola’s squad, a host of other landmarks are in their sights.

“I don’t know what we can achieve, because there is still a long way to go,” said Mahrez.

“We are focused and we are trying to win as many games as we can. “But we have to take it game by game and the next game is Arsenal.”

The biggest prize – the quadruple – is still alive for City.

Guardiola’s side are 10 points clear in the Premier League, they are still in the FA Cup and Champions League, while they face Tottenham in the final of the Carabao Cup.

But to set the longest winning run in Premier League history – 18 held by Man City in 2017/18 and Liverpool in 2019/20 – still needs another seven wins.

With City 24 games unbeaten in all competitions, they need another 17 to beat the best streak by an English top-flight side – Nottingham Forest in 1978. Further afield, City can go on to establish themselves among greats of European history.

The record for consecutive wins in all competitions by a top-flight European team since UEFA competitions began is held by Ajax, with 26 in 1971/72.

Mahrez admitted that Guardiola will keep the heat under his squad.

And in Phil Foden he believes they have a player who is progressing fast enough to take them to trophies.

“Phil is improving a lot and when you are young the most important thing is to play,” said Mahrez. “That is the best way to improve and this season he has been very good.

“Everyone has been on top form this season so we have developed the team.” the