Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s Premier League game against Chelsea is a cup final.
City’s manager was buzzing having watched his side usurp Liverpool at the top of the Premier League for the first time in two months with a 2-0 win against Everton.
Goals from Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus earned them all three points, meaning they are above their title rivals on goal difference, having played one match more.
Five weeks ago City beat Liverpool 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to avoid falling ten points behind and the pressure is back on Jurgen Klopp’s side, who play Bournemouth on Saturday, 24 hours before City host Chelsea.
“It’s a question for [Liverpool]. We are leaders. Twelve games to play, a lot of points,” said Guardiola when asked what his side going top of the table meant.
“Now comes a big test, a big goal. Chelsea are an exceptional team who have had seven days to prepare.
“We have to prepare well. It really is a final for us this weekend. If we are able to take these points, it is a huge step forward.”
Guardiola praised his side for their persistence in never giving up when their title dream looked over at the start of January.
“The reality is we could have been, one month ago, 10 points behind when we played Liverpool,” he added.
“A few days ago we could have been seven points behind. Now we are top of the league.
“The lesson is never give up. That is the best advice. That is a lesson for all athletes. Try to win the games, because life can change immediately.”
City were far from their fluent best at Goodison Park, where they found Everton’s 4-4-1-1 system tough to break down.
However, they found a way to win – helped by the Toffees conceding their 17th goal from a set-piece (excluding penalties) – and Guardiola had nothing but praise.
“Always the application is there,” he added. “The performance is not as good as we expect. Goodison Park is always difficult for Manchester City in the last decade.
“We made a good first half. We didn’t concede one shot on target here at Goodison Park, which is not normal.”