Title Race Over If Man City Fail To Beat West Ham – Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City could see their Premier League title hopes slip away if they fail to beat West Ham United on Saturday, March 14.

City travel to the London Stadium knowing any dropped points could deal a heavy blow to their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.

Guardiola and his boys could start the day 10 points behind the Gunners if Arsenal defeat Everton earlier on Saturday.

Although City still have a game in hand and will host Arsenal next month, Guardiola admits the margin for error has vanished as the season enters its decisive stretch.

“The league was the most difficult title,” Guardiola said earlier today, March 13. “So the Premier League always, I believe, is the most difficult one and still we are there, knowing that if we drop points, it’ll be over.”

City arrive in East London seeking a response after a bruising night in Europe. Naija News reports that Guardiola’s side were beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, leaving their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals hanging by a thread.

Despite the setback, Guardiola insists his team must quickly refocus on the Premier League title race.

The Spaniard has lifted the Premier League trophy six times in nine seasons in England. Yet last season served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change, with City finishing third, 13 points behind champions Liverpool.

“Now it is a pleasure to be here. Last season we could not live with that at this stage, so it’s nice,” said Guardiola.

“Always I said when I arrived in the last 10 games every team plays for something — for relegation, for Europa League, for Conference League, for Champions League, to be champions.

“So it’s normal. Now it is no second chances.”

West Ham, meanwhile, are showing signs of life in their fight to avoid relegation. The Hammers remain in the drop zone but have lost just two of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Their improved run has lifted them to within a point of safety and also carried them into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.