Soccer

Guardiola to remind City players how good they are and tell them what is needed to defeat West Ham

Manchester City manager says David Moyes will be determined to bow out on a high in his final match as West Ham’s manager

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shouting instructions from the touchline during the Premier League match against Fulham at Craven Cottage, London, on May 11th, 2024. Photograph: Adrian Dennis AFP
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shouting instructions from the touchline during the Premier League match against Fulham at Craven Cottage, London, on May 11th, 2024. Photograph: Adrian Dennis AFP
Jamie Jackson
Fri May 17 2024 - 18:56

Pep Guardiola will remind his Manchester City players how good they are and inform them what is required to defeat West Ham on Sunday and ensure a historic fourth consecutive title.

City start the final day two points ahead of Arsenal, who are at home to Everton. Guardiola said he planned to inspire his players during their preparation on Friday. “There is something that belongs to us – I’m going to show them how good they are and what they have to do,” the manager said. “As simple as that.”

Guardiola, who declined to elaborate when asked whether that would involve a video, warned that David Moyes would be determined to bow out on a high in his final match as West Ham’s manager.

He sees parallels with previous final-day title deciders when City were heading for defeat but won in dramatic fashion to secure top spot. Two seasons ago City went 2-0 down against Aston Villa and in 2012 they trailed to QPR before stoppage-time goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Agüero.

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“He will do everything to beat us,” Guardiola said of Moyes. “[The same as] what happened against Aston Villa and QPR with the Sergio Agüero moment and the Dzeko moment. I’m ready for a tough, tough game. The 11 players of West Ham will be ready to beat us. That happened with Aston Villa in the same position and didn’t have anything to play for two seasons ago and I know what happened. It’s going to happen the same.

“Ourselves and our people [fans] have to be ready from the first minute to support from the first minute and be with us to do it together. There is not any contamination in my brain thinking about anything else other than what we have to do to win against West Ham.”

Kevin De Bruyne faces a fitness test. – Guardian