Ancelotti: Guardiola’s record breakers have the title in the bag

Carlo Ancelotti declared Manchester City champions in waiting after Everton were defeated by Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking team.

City moved 10 points clear at the top following the 3-1 win at Goodison Park and Ancelotti expects them to remain at the Premier League summit for the next three months.

Richarlison had cancelled out Phil Foden’s opener, but second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva meant City became the first team to win their first 10 top-flight games in a calendar year.

“They are on the right way to win the title,” Ancelotti said. “Manchester City, in this moment, are in a good moment, they have fantastic quality, they have belief, they are strong. We tried to put our strong side on the game, but it was difficult against them.

“They are able to play really well with the ball and work hard without it, they do not give you much possibilities to play, the effort of all the players was really high.”

Everton suffered a blow, with Yerry Mina picking up an injury which will rule him out of the Merseyside derby at the weekend, but Dominic Calvert-lewin may return.

Guardiola was able to welcome back Kevin De Bruyne off the bench and had Sergio Aguero among his substitutes, and he will need his full squad to maintain their run during a congested schedule.

“It’s better not to look at the schedule or you’ll get depressed,” Guardiola said. “The guys need a bit of rest, but at the same time it is a beautiful challenge. It is so demanding, it’s non-stop.

“I have not seen that the team is thinking of the table. We are not here to defend our lead, it is all about three points. There are 42 points still to fight for, we are in the middle of February.”