Guardiola enjoys third successive Old Trafford Premier League win
Thursday 25 April 2019 10:57, UK
Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City players to stay focused on their three remaining Premier League games after they won the Manchester derby 2-0 to return to the top of the table.
Courtesy of his side's victory, Guardiola became the first manager to win three successive matches at Old Trafford.
But with trips to Burnley and Brighton still to come, as well as the visit of Leicester, Guardiola is insistent that his players have no reason to celebrate yet.
"Now is the time to be calm," said Guardiola. "Don't read, don't turn on the TV, don't listen to the radio."
But while Guardiola has warned his players against distractions, he was full of praise for his squad's response to their Champions League heartbreak against Tottenham.
"You cannot imagine how tough it was for all of us to go out of the Champions League when we thought it was there. It was really, really tough. Then we have Tottenham at home, not the best performance," said Guardiola.
"But we stayed alive. How we react is more important than other things you can say, then come here to United and win for the third time in a row, especially today with the pressure we had. Nothing changes whether we win or not, they have my incredible respect."
"I think United played a decent game. I think that's as good as United have got. That's that team. What we saw there tonight between Manchester United and Manchester City was the gulf in class between the two teams.
"I don't think I looked at any player United had on that pitch and thought they could have given more. They could have not made some mistakes, but that's the best they've got."
"It was an easy night for City - they'll be sitting in that dressing room thinking how comfortable that was. United never got going after half-time."
"Both City and Liverpool have had great seasons. To win the Premier League is a greater achievement than winning the Champions League.
"To win it, you are doing fabulously. To retain it, you are reaching another level."
