Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s 20-game winning run could be the greatest achievement of his career.
The Premier League leaders maintained their charge as they ground out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Guardiola has won 29 trophies in his glittering managerial career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, including back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019, but this season’s results – amid a pandemic – could eclipse that.
City are unbeaten in 27 games and their run of 20 successive victories in all competitions is a record for an English top-flight side.
“In the second half, we were much better.”
“It was a really tough, tough game.”
“We knew it before, and we were lucky.”
Despite yet another Man City win Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the opposition this afternoon…
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The City boss said: “It is so difficult. Twenty in this period, in this era, with this situation around the world – to be able to do 20 is maybe one of the greatest achievements we have done together in our careers.
“That doesn’t mean we will win titles but we have not had one week’s rest in three months. A game every three days, with the Covid situation, injury situations – to make this winning run shows mental strength.”
City were not at their fluid best and were made to dig deep for their latest victory by the hard-working Hammers.
Goals in each half from defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones, either side of a Michail Antonio equaliser, ultimately proved the key contributions.
Guardiola said: “We didn’t paint something nice but there are many of these games during the season.
“It was obvious to every person who saw the game it was really tough. The opposition is incredible, well composed.
“So, a big compliment to West Ham. After 26 fixtures they were in the Champions League positions. They have everything.
“It was a really tough game but that is good for us for the coming games, to realise what is going to happen.”
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