Daily Mirror

TOUGHER AT THE TOP

Look out Premier League... Pep warned his City stars they had to IMPROVE on last season if they want to hold on to their crown

- BY JOHN CROSS and DARREN LEWIS

PEP GUARDIOLA has told his players they must raise the bar again if they want to be the first team in a decade to retain the Premier League crown.

The Manchester City boss warned they have to be “even better and hungrier” as they chase back-to-back titles.

And that is a daunting prospect for their rivals given that City finished a staggering 19 points ahead of runners-up Manchester United last term.

But virtually the first thing Guardiola did in pre-season was to tell his men it will be tougher to be champions twice in a row.

He kept pressing home the message to keep the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero on their toes as they approached the new campaign.

He knows big-spending Liverpool are likely to be a major threat and is delighted to have landed Riyad Mahrez, who he believes will give the team a new dimension on the wing, while left-back Benjamin Mendy is likely to play a bigger role.

City started with a message of intent in their impressive 2-0 win at Arsenal and did so even without heavy hitters De Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Vincent Kompany.

They look a side capable of breaking more records after sweeping all before them last time round.

That is how midfielder Bernardo Silva sees it. He believes the manner in which they brushed aside the Gunners has given City even more confidence.

Asked if the victory at the Emirates delivered a strong statement, he replied: “Yes, I think so.

“We have started the season well and knew we were going to play against a very strong team at a difficult stadium but we did it.

“It was a very good game for us, a well-deserved win.

“But it is just the start, we have to keep working knowing it was just the first game, only three points, and we go game by game again to win the Premier League knowing we are only in August.”

While City were able to claim the title with a record 100 points, Silva admitted it will be tougher to keep hold of it given that Liverpool and Manchester United have strengthen­ed their squads and with the management changes at Chelsea and Arsenal. He said: “We want to win the league, knowing we are playing against a lot of tough teams and that it won’t be easy. “The opponents now know what to expect from us but we will try to do it again, work very hard to win each game week after week and we will see what happens.”

Sterling’s performanc­e against Arsenal brought high praise from Guardiola (left), with the club keen to agree a new contract.

The England internatio­nal’s opener was his 50th goal in the Premier League and Bernardo – who was also on target against the Gunners – believes it could be another big campaign for the striker (right, with Mahrez).

“Last season was fantastic for him, he was one of the most important players for us and he has started very well,” he added.

“It was a fantastic goal as well.

“He is always helping us a lot defensivel­y and offensivel­y. He works a lot for the team and we are all very happy for him.”

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