Guardiola: Now we need the perfect run-in

PEP GUARDIOLA believes his team must win all their remaining Premier League games to fend off Liverpool and retain the title. And the Manchester City boss is confident that his players have the mental toughness to deal with the pressure of the run-in. Victory over Crystal Palace put City on the top of the league momentarily before Liverpool returned to the summit with their win over Chelsea. But with a game in hand over the Merseysiders, the champions have their title destiny in their own hands. And Guardiola believes his side will need to win all five of their matches to pip Liverpool. ‘We think Liverpool are going to win all their games, but the Premier League is still in our hands,’ he said. ‘We have to win every game if we want to make back-to-back titles, we know that, and the players have shown they want to do it. No doubts. ‘We know it’ll be almost impossible, very difficult, if we dropped points.’

AN own-goal two minutes into stoppage time sent Manchester City to the Women’s FA Cup final on May 4. Chelsea’s Magdalena Eriksson put the ball in her own net with extra time looming as City won 1-0. City will play West Ham, who beat Reading on penalties after a 1-1 draw.