Guardiola still expecting Liverpool, Arsenal title push

Matt Stead

Pep Guardiola insists that Manchester City and Manchester United are not in a two-horse Premier League title race.

Both Manchester clubs have started the season in blistering fashion, each winning four and drawing one of their opening five games, scoring 16 goals and conceding two.

Their identical records mean they share a three-point gap at the top of the table over Chelsea, who are in third.

Guardiola still expects the champions to compete, as well as fifth-placed Tottenham, eighth-placed Liverpool and Arsenal, who are down in 12th.

“There are six [teams], we are just a few points ahead,” he said. “When we finish our weekend we analyse what is going to happen in the future but nobody knows.

“Last season we started well, similar to this season. We have less points but I think it was a good season last season for many things. I think I am a good manager. We fight like a normal team. I believe in the quality of the way we play.”

City face bottom club Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Guardiola is not taking anything for granted.

“This is the Premier League,” he said. “I hear from the beginning every single team can beat the other one. That is what I have heard since I arrived.

“I have a lot of respect for what I saw [from Palace] against Southampton and Burnley. They created a lot of chances. I showed to my players all the chances they created in just two games.”