Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pep OK with fans on pitch
PEP Guardiola was happy to share Manchester City’s title success with fans who flooded the pitch in celebration and has “no problem” if the Football Association take a dimmer view.
City returned to action on Sunday for the first time since wrapping up the Premier League trophy and looked every inch the standard bearers at the Etihad Stadium, crushing struggling Swansea 5-0.
The party was i n full flow before kick-off and the mood only amplified as David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Silva hit the target, taking City to 90 points and 98 goals for the season.
Hundreds of j ubilant supporters i nvaded the field of play at the full-time whistle, chanting in front of the tunnel and letting off blue flares.
The governing body charged Wigan after their shock FA Cup win over City earlier this season after fans i nvaded but, while that scene turned ugly, this appeared to be a harmonious occasion.
Asked about the potential for disciplinary action, Guardiola said:“No problem. Football is an emotional game. It i 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 them to be close with the team.
“They show how happy they are and that is the most beautiful thing.
“Just arriving on the bus, the way people look at us and celebrate in the stadium and j ump. I’ m sorry that’s good. It’s time to celebrate. I’m not going to tell anybody ‘ don’t enjoy it’.”