Pep hails achievement

PEP GUARDIOLA hailed Manchester City’s 20-match winning run as close to the best achievement of his career.

City saw off a spirited West Ham United to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to 13 points before Manchester United face Chelsea today.

Ruben Dias and John Stones scored either side of Michail Antonio’s equaliser, with Guardiola heaping praise on his side’s consistency.

‘Twenty in this period, in this era, with this situation around the world, to be able to do 20 is maybe one of the greatest achievements we have done together in our careers,’ Guardiola said.

‘It is so difficult. A game every three days, with Covid situations, injury situations. Winning shows a mental strength.

‘What we have done so far is unusual, an exception. After 10-15 minutes today we realised that we are not going to paint anything beautiful. In the second half we were much better than the first half. When you play a lot of games, in the league and then the Champions League, this is normal.

‘We were lucky to get all three points. The mathematics matter at the end of the season. There are many of these games. We didn’t create much but we didn’t concede anything.

‘ It was really tough, difficult because the opponent is incredibly composed and they have everything. It is a big compliment for West Ham.’

Guardiola rang the changes from the midweek victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, with only four players retaining their places.

The City manager insisted he had no choice but to rotate heavily given the packed schedule — and will give them an extra day off f ol l owing Tuesday’s match against Wolves.

‘Mentally it is tough (for the players) because t here are games every three days,’ he added. ‘People start to get tired. That’s why it is important to have two days off before the game a gai nst Manchester United next weekend, rest a little bit, don’t see each other.

‘We played almost two days ago. At 9pm on Wednesday and 12:30pm today. That’s why you have to do many substitutions or change the team from the last game.

‘If you don’t, then you cannot sustain it. Big teams, big clubs, have to do this.

‘Now we think about Wolves, a team we’ve s uff ered against in recent years.’