Manchester derby won't distract from Champions League aspirations, says Pep Guardiola

City can secure the title next week at home against United - but first they have a Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool to worry about

Pep Guardiola won't let his men get distracted (PA)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits the chance to be crowned champions against Manchester United will not distract from the significance of a two-legged Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool.

City’s 3-1 victory over Everton, thanks to goals from Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, puts them 16 points clear of second-placed United and within three points of the Premier League title.

It leaves City with the tantalising prospect of clinching it in the Manchester derby against bitter rivals United at the Etihad Stadium next Saturday.

However, despite that being a particularly mouth-watering possibility for City’s supporters Guardiola preferred to look at the bigger picture.

City travel to Liverpool on Wednesday and then the week after host Jurgen Klopp's side with the visit of United sandwiched in between.

“I understand people are going to talk about United but now all the decisions are about Liverpool,” Guardiola said.

“We have now we are closer than ever. We have one game to win. If we are not able to win, we have six more chances. We are so so close and so happy with the performance.

“Now it is one more game and we will be champions.

“For the fans it is significant. It is special. It is important we win - no matter where. Of course the most important thing is these two games.

“We have to go to Anfield with good feelings. Now we have a few days to prepare for this game.”

Before this game, City had not played since a 2-0 win over Stoke on 12 March and Guardiola had been concerned whether his side would be a little rusty.

“We were a long time without being together,” Guardiola explained. “And I didn’t want to play with seven eight nine players going to play Wednesday without four weeks playing together.

“We needed to play together to find our pace, our rhythm.

“We controlled the game and it was a huge victory. It was the first time as a manager I was able to beat Everton.

“It was a long time we weren't together so you always think 'what could happen' but it was good.

“We were clinical especially in the first half. Everybody committed to win the game.”

Those Everton supporters that remained at the final whistle applauded City’s players off the pitch which pleased Guardiola.

“Maybe because we are going to play against Liverpool, I don’t know!” added the City boss.


 Manchester City had too much class for Everton (Getty)

“But thank you so much. I didn’t know it but they give credit to what the players have done.

“The first is for our fans but the people who love football enjoy how we play that is satisfaction. Last season I applaud them in the 4-0.”

Everton boss Sam Allardyce acknowledged Guardiola’s City side were one of the best teams he has ever come against during his managerial career.

“Have I come up against better? Man Utd I think and probably Arsenal. After that, no.” Allardyce said.

“You try and do something to stop them and they can play around anything. Try and stop them any way and you can’t. Try and press them from the front, they play around you. Try and pack the final third, give and go.

“We didn’t have 11 man markers. The David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne combination but then the pace of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling and the finishing power of Sergio Aguero. You name it.

“The quality of the distribution of the goalkeeper. You can’t shut him down. At least we fought and made ourselves look respectable by getting a goal back and lost 3-1.”