Guardiola’s team had to play with 10 men for 64 minutes against a flourishing Cottagers outfit, who have impressed greatly since returning to the top-flight this season.
In spite of that numerical disadvantage, City earned three points thanks to a late winner.
Guardiola was ecstatic on the final whistle because of the result but, also importantly, because of the courage of his players.
He said: “What I am proud of most and I have said it many times, after seven years we can still perform at this level like we have performed this season.
“We can play good, bad, win, lose. When we lose, I think about what we need to do to do better.
“But when you see the team not give up…they played after the sending off, after some decisions, with a perfect amount of grumpiness, energy that you need 10v11.
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“Otherwise you give up. That’s why we competed until the end.
“They give me what they are, what they are during six or seven years.
“They have done it many times over many, many years in this league, in England, the toughest league by far all around the world.
“Still there. Still there. Still there.
“After winning four Premier Leagues in five years, still they’re doing what they have done so far, that’s the biggest title we can get as a team and as a club.”
