Pep Guardiola says Man City's Premier League title contenders have improved
Man City beat Brighton 2-0 at the Etihad in the Premier League on Saturday
Sunday 30 September 2018 17:39, UK
Pep Guardiola insists the Premier League contenders are getting stronger as they look to rival Manchester City for the title.
City maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero.
Sitting on the same number of points as at this stage last season, Guardiola is pleased with City's start, but notes their rivals have notably improved.
He told Sky Sports: "It is important to be solid in our games. We have the same points as last season, but the contenders are better, in terms of results. That is normal. When we achieve up one level, everybody does everything to catch up. That is normal.
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"Arsenal is coming back, Tottenham with wins in a row, Chelsea, Liverpool, so it is important to be focused on what we have to do."
City had to be patient in stages against Chris Hughton's Brighton on Saturday, with the visitors managing just one shot on goal as they defended their area well.
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Guardiola recognised how difficult it was to break Brighton down, and says his side's positional play has improved on last season.
"We concede just one shot on target, we moved the ball quick," he said. "We cannot forget how difficult it is to attack when the other team have 11 players inside the 18-yard box.
"We controlled, and didn't allow them runs. Our positional game, the fact everybody was in the right decision to move the ball quicker, and ready to avoid the counter-attack, it's getting much better than last season. That's why we are so pleased.
"Sometimes you have to mature in the game, we have to give the game time. We'd prefer to score after 10 minutes. Brighton don't just defend deep, they defended so well, the crosses, every movement is well coordinated, and it is not easy. You must be patient without losing the concentration.
"We were solid today. They beat United, at Anfield in the second half they played so, so well, so that's why I give so much credit to us conceding just one shot."
