FEVER PITCH
Pep defends City fans who rush onto hallowed turf to pay tribute to the champions
PEP GUARDIOLA defended Manchester City fans after thousands invaded the pitch following the demolition of Swansea.
The newly-crowned Premier League champions will be hit with an FA charge and there could be further repercussions with at least one flare let off at the end of City’s first game since clinching the title.
But Guardiola (right) said: “Football’s an emotional game. I understand you have to be careful, but they feel they want to share that they’re happy. It’s better they
stay where they should stay, but I’m not going to tell them, ‘Don’t do that’. If they are happy, I like to be close with them.
“They show how happy they are and that’s the most beautiful thing. We felt that today. The fans here were so happy.
“Just arriving on the bus, the way people look at us and celebrate in the stadium and jump. I’m sorry, that’s good.
“It’s time to celebrate it. I’m not going to tell anybody, ‘Don’t enjoy it’. I’m not going to tell them. But save the grass – we need the pitch for the future.”
City’s win took them to 90 points, five short of Chelsea’s Premier League record, with four games left.
They are five goals away from the Premier League record of 103, also held by Chelsea.
David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva (below) and Gabriel Jesus scored the goals that took City a step closer to rewriting the record books.
Swansea remain one place above the drop zone, although they have a four-point cushion over Southampton in 18th.