Pep Guardiola sent West Ham a message of support ahead of their game with Arsenal after his Manchester City side cut the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League to two points with a 3-0 win over Brentford.
Guardiola’s men suffered a huge setback on Monday as they drew 3-3 with Everton to hand control of the title race to Champions League finalists Arsenal.
City could ill-afford another slip-up against Keith Andrews’ Bees, but they laboured in search of a breakthrough in the first half at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Jeremy Doku, who rescued a point against Everton with a late equaliser, broke the deadlock in markedly similar fashion on the hour mark.
His curling right-footed effort was followed up by Erling Haaland scrambling home a second, and the Norwegian played in Omar Marmoush to make it 3-0 in the second minute of stoppage time.
In addition to narrowing the gap to Arsenal, the margin of victory means City are just a goal behind the Gunners on goal difference, which could yet decide the destination of the title.
City’s win piles pressure on Arsenal ahead of their trip to relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday, and Guardiola ended his post-match press conference by humorously giving his backing to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Guardiola raised his arms over his head and crossed them over each other and said: “Come on you Irons.”
Manchester City boss ‘loving’ title race
Earlier in the press conference, Guardiola was asked if he is enjoying the title race.
“I love it. I love to be here again,” he replied. “We’ll finish second this season minimum, I love it, I love to be here. I didn’t enjoy last season in the moment we were fighting to qualify for the Champions League, it was so difficult.
“I love it; Carabao Cup in our pocket, we’ll play the FA Cup final in Wembley – the most beautiful game of the season – and I like it, I love it.
“Tension? No, no, no. When you arrive and have the feeling that the job has been good, well done! When you arrive there, fighting against Arsenal, being there all the time, after the many changes that happened, the spirit of the team, how they help each other… It’s a joy to work with them! And how they fight, how the experienced players help, it’s really good!”
Pressed on whether he expected a slip-up from Arsenal, Guardiola said: “We’re fighting against, like Liverpool, a colossal team!
“They’re in the Champions League final, they didn’t lose one game in this competition, top of the league almost all season. It’s not in our hands now, so it depends on [them], they have to drop points.
“All we can do is Wednesday [vs Crystal Palace] win again, play the final of the FA Cup, and Bournemouth… Look at Bournemouth, how they are in this moment, not the best place to go. And look at Aston Villa the last one [game of the season]. The calendar is really, really demanding.”
Guardiola hails Doku mentality
Doku’s strike marked his third goal in a week after his brace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
The Belgian now has 20 goal involvements (eight goals, 12 assists) in all competitions this season, as he has blossomed into a crucial player for City, with Guardiola thrilled by the mentality Doku has showcased as he has grown in influence.
“He’s an incredible professional, and I think his soul now is so calm, with his own life, he became so religious, and that helps as well,” Guardiola explained.
“Everybody knows that he’s made an incredible step in the sense of saying, ‘I am Jeremy Doky, I am going to win games!’ And the big players, the greatest players always have that mentality.”
