Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
City won’t give up says Pablo
PABLO Zabaleta has not given up on Premier League glory, warning runaway leaders Chelsea that Manchester City have the personnel and personality to capitalise on any slip-up.
Life at the Etihad Stadium got off to a dream start for Pep Guardiola, only for the end of their indomitable winning streak to throw their season off kilter.
L a s t w e e k e n d ’s 4 - 2 humbling at Leicester led to questions about City’s style and substance, yet they responded manfully by overcoming Watford and then coming from behind against title rivals Arsenal.
Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling strikes cancelled out Theo Walcott’s early opener t o run out 2-1 victors, with Zabaleta underlining the importance of a win that propelled them into second.
“It was massive,” the right-back said after City won a Premier League match they were trailing in at the break for the first time since November 2012.
“We had been talking before the game that it was a huge game for both teams because we are two teams that are looking to try to catch Chelsea, trying to reduce that gap to them.
“We know they are on a run of games and a real solid team at the moment, but of course we are not going to give up.
“We have confidence, we have belief. There’s a long way to go until the end of the season.
“We showed in the last two games playing that way we are one of those teams that can fight for the title for sure.
“We always try to be a solid team, especially when we play at home. It was really good.
“Obviously, we conceded that early goal in the game but the reaction of the team was really good.”