Pep Guardiola expects more Premier League twists after Liverpool stumble

Manager says Manchester City are not favourites again just because title rivals endured back-to-back draws

Manchester City won the league title last season with a record 100 points, but Pep Guardiola sees that kind of dominance as an anomaly. Peter Powell / EPA

Pep Guardiola has played down the suggestion that Manchester City are now Premier League title favourites despite two stumbles in as many games by leaders Liverpool that cut the gap at the top to three points.

Jurgen Klopp's side could have gone seven points clear by beating Leicester City last week, but only drew 1-1 and were held by the same scoreline at West Ham United on Monday.

Those two draws have allowed City back into the race, and having beaten Arsenal 3-1 on Sunday, the champions will go top on goal difference if they win at Everton on Wednesday.

However, after a topsy-turvy week that began with City falling to a shock 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Newcastle United last Tuesday, Guardiola is sure there will be plenty more twists before the end of the season.

"Three or four days ago, we were already done, and the champions were Liverpool. Now we are the favourites and maybe soon we can be leading. We try to be calm.

"There will be surprises and it will be tough for teams to win every game. The contenders and the non-contenders have the ability and skills to create problems.

"What I'm more concerned about is that we never forget who we are as a team. Doing what we have to do, we are a strong team. That's what I want to watch every single day.

"After that, we see about the results, the table, the favourites and this kind of thing."

'Typical' English title race

City won the title last season with a Premier League record total of 100 points last season, but Guardiola sees that kind of dominance as an anomaly in English football.

"I would say it's typical in England, this kind of situation," he said of this season's close fight. "What's not common is what happened last season, where we win 18 games in a row, with 100 points and a lot of distance [to the team in second place].

"Normal is what happens now, where every game is tough – and you can win or lose every single game, because every team is either involved in the title, or Europe, or in trying to stay in the Premier League."

Guardiola also suggested that it would be foolish to rule out Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea or even fifth-placed Manchester United in the title race.

Spurs are two points behind City, in third, and five points off the lead, with Chelsea 12 points from top spot and United 14 points adrift.

"That's a question for you," Guardiola said. "I never said Tottenham are not there. Chelsea, I never said they are not there. United, if they carry on making this run every single week, they will be there.

"Now people see the table, and see the first two or three, and don't look further than that.

"Chelsea can win a few games in a row and be a contender. There are 39 points to play for. Everyone is ready to take points."

Everton manager Marco Silva is under pressure to spring a surprise on Wednesday after winning just three of their last 12 league matches, and suffering an FA Cup fourth-round exit at Championship side Millwall.

But Guardiola believes the Toffees must be patient and give the Portuguese coach time.

"People don't know how difficult it is to create teams, it takes time," Guardiola said. "If they believe in him, they have to move forward with him. It's difficult to create and move forward.

"It takes time, so it depends on them."