Watch Burnley vs Man City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League; Kick-off is 2.05pm
Sunday 28 April 2019 08:10, UK
Manchester City’s players were allowed five minutes of dressing room “madness” after victory in the Manchester derby, but John Stones insists the squad is focused on the task ahead.
The England defender revealed that there was an outpouring of emotion after back-to-back victories against Tottenham and Manchester United but nobody is getting carried away.
He watched from the stands at Old Trafford as City moved a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table but is likely to return to the main stage at Burnley on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
After taking a major step closer to becoming the first side to retain the title since United in 2009, Stones admits there were joyous scenes in the away dressing room - but focus has already turned to their next encounter at Turf Moor.
"To get over the line at the end of the game and to come away with those three points at such a vital stage of the season you can't really put into words how it feels sometimes," he said.
"You get into the dressing room both before and after the match and it was a great occasion because everyone is just so happy that we've beat our rivals.
"We had five minutes of madness where everyone's shouting and then it calms down.
"Everyone then just gets on with their recoveries as we know we've got another game at the weekend. It's the fast cycle of games, and once that game's done it's onto the next one."
Burnley are winless in their last seven meetings with City in all competitions since a 1-0 win in March 2015 while Pep Guardiola's men have beaten the Clarets 5-0 twice this season in all competitions.
But with Sean Dyche's side having effectively secured their top-flight status courtesy of their 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday, City will come up against a side free from the pressures of a relegation battle.
Curiously, Burnley have beaten the defending Premier League champions in each of the last four seasons, so Stones knows the trip on Sunday will provide a stiff test.
"They're always a very well-organised team," added Stones, who has never previously played at Turf Moor during his playing career. "Taking nothing away from them, they've got quality as well.
"They've brought in some new players and have changed their style, and Joe [Hart] is there who we know well. It's never an easy game - they sometimes grind out results against the top teams so we know what we're up against.
"It'll be a very physical game and one that in previous seasons we've had to grab hold of early doors to set the tempo. We know that we're in for a game."
Stones admits he hopes to provide Guardiola with a selection "problem" during The Run In having been forced to sit out the 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
"I came on at Crystal Palace for five minutes at the end, but everyone has got that attitude of, 'how can I affect that game', or 'how can I go out there and apply what the manager wants' and that's what he trusts us to do.
"I've got the mentality of 'you can't think too far ahead, and you can't get caught up in what's next'. You lose focus on what you can affect so all our focus is just on Burnley at the weekend. We're focusing all our energy on the job in front of us."
"I was asked how I'd prefer to win the Premier League - like last season or like this and definitely I'd rather it was like last season! But that doesn't mean to say I don't embrace the challenge that we've got because that's the beauty of the Premier League.
"It's going to go down to the wire and it's such an exciting time. We know that we're going to have to keep performing and keep getting the results, as Liverpool know that as well.
"I'd take winning the title with a game to go. I don't think I could live through that [Sergio] Aguero moment [against QPR in 2012] again. So long as you get that medal around your neck, that's all that matters."
