Pep only focused on Palace threat

PEP GUARDIOLA has warned his Manchester City players not to be distracted by events along the M62 with their bogey team Crystal Palace lying in wait.

While the nation tunes in to Liverpool v Manchester United today, Guardiola will be reminding his team of Palace’s recent record at The Etihad ahead of their evening kick-off. The visitors pulled off a 3- 2 win in 2018- 19 thanks to a wonder goal from Andros Townsend and led until the final 10 minutes of last season’s 2-2 draw.

‘Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace,’ muttered Guardiola when asked about the clash between his two biggest rivals. ‘Palace is the only result I want. I want to beat them, the other match I don’t care about.

‘The last two seasons at home to Palace we have got one point, that is why it’s my only concern.’

Sergio Aguero’s stop-start season continues as he is self-isolating, but ominously for the competition Guardiola can see the focus in his players t hat l ed t hem to t wo consecutive championships before losing their crown to Liverpool.

‘I don’t think the players are upset or angry, less optimistic because some people might say United and Liverpool have been better than us or we are not contenders. I have the feeling the players are committed every game to do what we have to. We’ve done that for many years.’