A well-deserved 2-0 win at Bournemouth’s Dean Court, a venue at which other major contenders like Liverpool have slipped up this season, saw City move from fifth to second, eight points behind Antonio Conte’s men.Yet though expressing his delight at seeing how his side are progressing so smoothly now, Guardiola was adamant that Chelsea’s lead was just too “massive” to be clawed back.
“The gap is too big,” he told Sky Sports, after celebrating a goal from Raheem Sterling and another that was credited to Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings, although Sergio Aguero was still claiming it.”Yesterday they (Chelsea) didn’t win (in a 1-1 draw with Burnley) but they play so solid, it’s so difficult to create chances (against them).
“The gap is still so massive. It’s important is for us to focus on our game, and improve our performance, and my feeling in the last games is our performances are much, much better.”His protestation that eight points is “massive” does not bear the closest examination with so many Premier League games being so competitive this season but Guardiola is concentrating his sights primarily on winning a Champions League spot.
“So that means everybody’s still there. Up and down…lose a game and you’re going to be down, so it will be a good battle to qualify for the Champions League.”If City are to make a concerted title push, Aguero demonstrated again that he could yet play a significant part amid speculation that he could leave at the end of the season.
Although Mings was credited with getting the final touch, the important thing was the Argentine’s sharpness as he latched with alacrity on to Sterling’s cross and Guardiola was left thrilled for him.”Tomorrow morning, we’ll know exactly – but hopefully, hopefully…I’m going to pray tonight that it’s not going to be a big issue,” Guardiola said.
“He played good, he won, he fight, scored a goal for his confidence and for us, it’s so important. I’m so happy for him,” said the manager.
