Raheem Sterling said Manchester City's superb 4-1 win at West Ham reinforced the message that the players are already gearing up for next season's Premier League title defence.

In the two games since the club were confirmed as champions, City have scored nine goals with the Blues crushing Swansea 5-0 last weekend. 

England winger Raheem was in peerless form at the London Stadium, creating three assists as City smashed through the 100-goal tally for the season with goals coming from Leroy Sane, a Pablo Zabaleta own-goal, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho.

And, with one eye already trained on next season, Raheem revealed that City manager Pep Guardiola had stressed to the players the importance of ending the season in the same impressive fashion that has seen the club clinch the Premier League crown. 

“The manager has installed this mentality in us not to ease up,” Raheem revealed. 

FOUR TOPS: Fernandinho celebrates after sealing City's victory at the London Stadium
FOUR TOPS: Fernandinho celebrates after sealing City's victory at the London Stadium

“He doesn’t want us to slow down and wants us to finish strong. Not just for the remaining games this season but to also build for next season. 

“If we finish this season sloppy we can start next season sloppy so we need to finish strong. 

“We’ve had that belief and winning mentality all season and we are encouraged to play all the time and we are trying to create history. 

“It was nice to get three assists but the most important thing was the performance from the team.”