MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 19:22:15| >> :120:3966:3966:
[monks data]
Attendance: 30,662
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 38
May 12, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-4

Murray (27')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Aguero (28'), Laporte (38'), Mahrez (63'), Gundogan (72')

Pep Guardiola: "I am so happy – no nerves at all"

Guardiola:
© Reuters
City must beat Brighton to ensure they retain their title.

Pep Guardiola claims he is not nervous ahead of Manchester City's final-game title decider at Brighton.

City will win the Premier League with victory at the Amex Stadium on Sunday – but any slip-up could allow Liverpool, who trail by just a point, to pip them at the post by beating Wolves.

It makes for a potential nerve-jangling end to the season but Guardiola claims he is relishing the situation and is not as apprehensive as he was before the champions' crunch clash with Liverpool in January.

Pep Guardiola throws his scarf in anger during the home game against Liverpool
Pep Guardiola throws his scarf in anger during the home game against Liverpool (Martin Rickett/PA)

City prevailed on that occasion on what was a tense night at the Etihad Stadium, preventing the Merseysiders from opening up a 10-point lead at the summit.

Guardiola, the City manager, said: "I am so happy – no nerves at all. I was nervous before Liverpool, seven points behind, and we could have been 10 points behind.

"It was, 'Ah, it will be so difficult'. But not now, no way. I sleep like a little boy. It is a dream, a privilege, I love it."

City have won their last 13 games in what has been a remarkable title race in which they and Liverpool have matched each other almost blow for blow.

Guardiola's men have needed to show all their champion qualities in their last four games – tight victories over Tottenham, Manchester United, Burnley and Leicester.

Dropping points in any of them would have seen the initiative switch to Liverpool, who have won eight in succession and are just a point behind heading into the final round of fixtures.

With such momentum behind them, Guardiola feels his team-talk should take care of itself.

He said: "I would say that I don't have to say anything to motivate (the players). I think my speech will be zero.

"They want to win the Premier League. What I saw in the training sessions – they want to win it. We are going to go out there at Brighton at 3 o'clock to win the game.

Vincent Kompany's goal against Leicester has put Man City within one win of retaining the Premier League title
Vincent Kompany's goal against Leicester has put Man City within one win of retaining the Premier League title (Nick Potts/PA)

"We have not spoken for two or three days about the Premier League (title) or back-to-back, or what happens if we lose, about celebrations if we win, zero.

"It is just about Brighton, how they defend, their strengths and weak points, what we have to do.

"And on Sunday, 'Guys, go out and play'. That is all."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Hampson, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '3d8eb8b2-0603-4912-bae7-d9044caa0b92');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'No nerves for Man City boss Pep Guardiola ahead of Premier League finale'});

ID:358996: cacheID:358996:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8746:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Shane Duffy celebrates scoring for Brighton on January 2, 2018
Read Next:
Shane Duffy eyes "historic" scalp of Manchester City
>
Read more about Pep Guardiola Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!