In the wake of last Sunday’s incredible 2-1 win at Liverpool and with leaders Arsenal not playing until Thursday night, it means a victory tomorrow evening would reduce the gap at the top of the Premier League to just three points.
For 24 hours at least.
However, for the boss, rather than being sidetracked by the potential points gap at the top of the table, he says the focus instead for his players has to be trained purely on consistency and ensuring we seek to overcome a talented and dangerous Fulham.
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“I understand how nice, nine points, three points this kind of stuff [is],” Pep pointed out.
“That’s OK, but that does not make winning titles or arriving in the latter stages to win or be close to fight to win the titles.
“Every time in the last month and last weeks when I go before the games in a flash interview, always if you lose you are losing everything and you are going to disappear from Planet Earth and this kind of stuff.
“What I’m saying is what we have to do to beat Fulham, what we have to do to be better and to be closer to make first half in Anfield and [not] the second.
“What is the reason why in the second half still we are dropping our performance?
“Not three, four five, six [points], because if we don’t do that we will not win, maybe not Fulham, maybe it’ll be against Newcastle or maybe in the next game at Leeds.”
City will play host to Fulham with memories of an extraordinary fixture at Craven Cottage in early December still fresh in the mind.
From a seemingly impregnable position at 5-1 up, the Blues were given an almighty late second half scare as Fulham fought back to narrow the deficit to 5-4 and almost equalised in a dramatic finale.
For his part, the boss says he is no doubt that City will face formidable challenge tomorrow evening.
“Fulham is better every season, with the movements,” Guardiola added.
“When I see for example their game against Manchester United this morning, that they lost at the end to the Sesko goal, they are really good.
“The patterns and quality they have, the composure with the play and the speed they have.
“Defensive and offensive is really good. Marco [Silva] is one of the top, top managers I’ve faced.
“Even though the results have been good because Man City have more opportunities in terms of top players.
“But he is a top, top manager and has the destiny to be one of top ones in a few years for sure.”
Celebrate Lunar New Year at City v Fulham!
As our closest home Premier League game to Lunar New Year, we’ll have plenty of celebrations as City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium.
Kick-off is at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 11 February but there’ll be lots to see and enjoy before the action gets under way on the evening.
Tickets for this game are now on general sale, starting at £30 for adults and £15 for Under 18s. You can get three per person here!
And if you choose to make it a special evening in one of our hospitality areas, there’ll be even more to enjoy on top of elite football on the pitch!
Prices start from £180, while there’s an offer available when booking in the Legends Lounge or a Platinum Box experience - contact the sales team or enter the code Fulham%20 at checkout to access.
