Manchester city claimed the top spot from Liverpool after their 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park
The two sides are tied on 62 points, and City edge ahead courtesy of their superior goal difference. Liverpool, however, do have one game in hand. This week, which ends with City’s game at the Etihad stadium against Chelsea was arguably one of their most important one this season. The Cityzens had to play 3 Premier league games within a span of 8 days, and 2 of these were against top 6 sides in Arsenal and Chelsea. And Everton aren’t any slouches either, especially at Goodison Park.
Guardiola’s men have got the better of 2 of these sides and will be hoping to do the same when they take on Chelsea on Sunday. City’s senior players have stepped up at the right time for them, and none more so than Sergio Aguero who bagged a hattrick against the Gunners last weekend. Guardiola has been very impressed by the Argentine and did not hold back when speaking of his importance to the team,
“The big players need to appear in the big games, in the big moments, and he has done it,” said the City boss in his pre-match press conference.
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“Hopefully, he can continue to do it. In the big games, we need important players. No Sarri is [as] important, no Pep, no Jurgen or any manager. This game belongs to the players and the important games belong to the special players. Sometimes it helps to understand what he has done,” he said.
“That goal against Liverpool summed up what he is about. Sometimes the best tennis players on a point to save the break, they make an ace. In the big moments, always the big athletes come there, the big finals, the big moments.
“Sometimes some players hide in the scary moments. The other ones step forward and say, ‘I’m the boss, I’m here and I’m going to win the game’. Big clubs need these kinds of players. It’s simple.”
Author’s Take
Guardiola will be hoping that his main man up front will be able to keep up with his performances as there is still almost a third of the season left to play.
