TOP 20!
Super Blues just keep on winning City
PEP Guardiola has hailed City’s record 20 consecutive wins as on one of their ‘greatest achievements.’
The Blues fought their way to a tough 2-1 win over West Ham with goals from defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones, to take a 13-point lead over United and Leicester at the top of the Premier League.
And that run of victories equalled their 2017 record – which some people dismiss, as it includes a penalty shoot-out triumph.
Whichever way you look at it, the 20-match run, in all competitions, is an astonishing achievement, especially in a season in which Covid restrictions, fixture logjams and lockdown football have forced inconsistency on just about everyone else in the country - including City themselves early in the season.
The Blues racked up an English top-flight record of 100 points to win the title in 2018, and they cleaned up all four domestic trophies in 2019.
They have still to secure the title this season, but Guardiola says the run of wins ranks up there with their other feats.
“It is so difficult,” he said, when asked about the 20 wins, which have been crammed into the last ten weeks, over the hectic winter schedule.
“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.
“A game every three days, with Covid situations, injury situations. Winning, the strength mentally.”
Guardiola loves his teams to play beautiful football, but this time he was in awe of the sheer will which saw them through against a tough West Ham, just three days after the Blues had a Champions League last 16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach in Budapest.
“Today we didn’t paint anything nice,” he said. “There are many of these games. We didn’t create much but we didn’t concede anything.” The manager also said it is important that his squad and the fans brace themselves for the end of that winning run.
“We want to do it, but in the same time we know we are going to finish - what we have done so far is unusual, an exception,” he said. “Normally you drop points, a draw, defeats, that is the normality in football. “Three seasons ago we got 100 points, were unstoppable. The moment we start a good run this season we are there. “Today we have to enjoy it. Tomorrow again and then prepare Wolves, we don’t have time to rest.”
Twenty in this era is maybe one of the greatest achievements we have done together
Pep Guardiola