"Pep Guardiola has refused to concede that Manchester City's title chase is over after Monday's 3-3 draw with Everton, despite insisting it would be finished if every game from last month's victory over Arsenal were not won. City beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April and went on to win 1-0 at Burnley and go level on points with Mikel Arteta's pacesetters, above them on goals scored. But they now find themselves five points behind after failing to win at Hill Dickinson Stadium, so even if City's game in hand is won they cannot overhaul Arsenal without their title rivals also dropping points in their final three games."
"Reminded of his desire for a perfect run-in, expressed before the Arsenal game and the 1-1 draw with West Ham on 14 March, Guardiola said of winning the title: Well, it is more difficult because we are facing the team that is going to play the final of the Champions League. We dropped two points in a tough game against Everton. But we try to win let's leave two points behind them and see what happens. City host Brentford on Saturday at 5.30pm BST while Arsenal travel to West Ham on Sunday."
"Guardiola was asked if he would watch the latter game and cheer on Nuno Espirito Santo's team. Let me play against Brentford and do our job, he replied. Let's win our game against Brentford. And after you can come and ask. Always with these things it is a big mistake to look [ahead]. It's a tough opponent. We're making a top season. So, let's do our job as best as possible. Pep Guardiola says Monday's fightback against Everton was proof they are not conceding the title race any time soon."
"After Arsenal's loss to City, Declan Rice said of the title race: It's not done. Erling Haaland made a similar on-pitch declaration after the draw with Everton: We're still there. Guardiola was asked if the striker's attitude is key to City maintaining the challenge. We proved it in the Everton game, he said. At 1-3 it was not done and we end"
Manchester City refused to accept that their title challenge is over after a 3-3 draw with Everton. Guardiola said the run-in is harder because the remaining opponents include teams with major ambitions, and City dropped points in a tough match. City had previously beaten Arsenal 2-1, then won 1-0 at Burnley, moving level on points with Arsenal. The draw left City five points behind, meaning they can only overtake Arsenal if Arsenal also drop points in their final three games. Guardiola emphasized focusing on winning the next match against Brentford and avoiding looking ahead. He pointed to the Everton fightback as proof of the team’s attitude, including Haaland’s insistence that they are still in it.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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