Pep Guardiola: 'Manchester City one step closer to title'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called on his players to maintain the performance levels shown against Chelsea in order to wrap up the Premier League title.

The Citizens now require just four wins from their remaining nine fixtures to finish top after seeing off the defending champions 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Guardiola was happy with his side's display to make it nine wins in their last 11 matches, and admits that a second piece of silverware in English football - following last week's EFL Cup success - is now within touching distance.

"It was so important; a win today is another step closer," he told BBC Sport. "We need four victories to be champions - it is in our hands and if our behaviour is like today we will be champions.

"Against a strong team like Chelsea, who are still the champions, and beat them in the way we did today, that is why it is so good. I never judge what the other guy does. Who can forget the same manager and almost same players were champions last year.

"Our performance today was so good in terms of control and attacking at the right moment. Everybody was good."

Bernardo Silva scored the only goal of the game at the Etihad Stadium, poking home a David Silva cross less than a minute into the second half.