Rivals won’t take title

BERNARDO SILVA believes Manchester City have laid down a marker to their Premier League rivals.

Pep Guardiola’s side began the defence of their crown with a 2-0 stroll over Arsenal on Sunday.

And they did it with David Silva on the sidelines, Leroy Sane on the bench and with Kevin De Bruyne starting as a substitute.

City winger Bernardo, who netted the second at the Emirates, reckons the defending champions have now issued a statement of intent for this season.

Asked if the result was a marker for City, the Portuguese star said: “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. We go game by game again to win the Premier League, knowing we are only in August.” City cruised to the league title last season, finishing with a record century of points. They have kept all of their big names and shattered their transfer record to sign winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester for £60m.

But Silva believes it will be tougher to retain their crown now their rivals are gunning for them.

He added: “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 and do it again, work very hard to win each game, week after week, and we will see what happens.” City’s Spanish playmaker David Silva

(inset), 32, has announced his retirement from international football.