As Manchester City reasserted themselves as challengers, Pep Guardiola cheekily reminded Liverpool of the fact some were ready to crown them Premier League champions mere weeks ago before their sharp downturn in form. Erling Haaland’s fine first-half finish secured a 1-0 win away at Brentford as City moved two points behind reigning champions Liverpool and three off of table-toppers Arsenal.
City had earlier been discounted in the title race after losing two of their first three games – to Tottenham and Brighton. But four unbeaten since, including a draw away at Arsenal, has reignited their belief. Guardiola made Premier League history at Brentford by reaching 250 wins in just 349 games, faster than any other manager in the division’s history. The Catalan coach has surpassed Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, who took 423 and 404 games respectively to reach the same milestone.
City jumped to fifth place in the league table, and Guardiola appears optimistic his side will be title contenders once again after a barren season last year. As they seek to reclaim their crown from Liverpool, he rubbed salt in the wounds after the Reds suffered back-to-back losses to squander an eight-point gap to the Citizens.
Guardiola praised match-winner Haaland as “the best” striker in the business and expressed his belief that his team will be serious contenders again because they are only improving. “It’s just seven games for the Premier League,” said Guardiola.
“I would say three weeks ago Liverpool apparently won the Premier League and now they have not. It’s important to see the team better and better. Liverpool is an incredible team, like Arsenal, the question is to improve and improve, the way we play, the way we defend, will help us to be close to fight.
“I’m really pleased for this month since the Man United game. We are there and I have the feeling we are getting better and better.”
Reacting to his 250-win milestone, Guardiola said: “We won a lot! Otherwise you cannot take this accolade without winning a lot of games. It’s an honour for me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger so I will invite them to a good dinner.
“Maybe not in Manchester, maybe somewhere with more sun. No, we’ll do it in Manchester. It’s an honour, a pleasure to be part of that in the Premier League history.
“I want to say thank you to the club, the organisation, the players and the staff that I had because we did it quicker, faster, better and really, really pleased. Now, let’s go for 250 more.”
Haaland has revealed that becoming a father has helped improved his game, telling Sky Sports: “I have never felt better than I do now. With a kid it makes me even better because I disconnect more than ever – I don’t think about football at all.
“When you are young you think of this and that and maybe worry about things but when I get home I relax even more. I think I need to give a shout-out to my son!”