Guardiola: 'Crazy' to think about winning the title

Cape Town - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola thinks it's crazy to think about chasing down Liverpool for the Premier League title after they opened up a big lead.

The champions beat Burnley 4-1 on Tuesday to move back up to second place in the table but they remain eight points behind the Reds, who have a game in hand.

Guardiola, speaking sarcastically at first, said: "The title is over. From what I read nobody gives us a chance. It's done.

"I don't believe it, but it is not about whether I believe it or I don't believe it. It is about the next game.

"Our team is stable and that's what we want. For the distance we have against Liverpool it would be crazy to think about the title, honestly.

"We have to think about the (Manchester) derby (on Saturday), game by game. There are other competitions - the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League. It is important to take this rhythm for the next games."

Gabriel Jesus, starting in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero, ended a run of eight games without scoring by netting City's first two goals in impressive fashion.

Rodri, producing his best performance for City, struck a thunderous third and Riyad Mahrez also scored before Robbie Brady grabbed a consolation.

Guardiola said: "It was a good result, thanks to our performance. We played really well. We are so satisfied with the way we played and the way we've played the last games."

Asked about Jesus' performance, Guardiola said: "We've lost an incredible striker in Sergio so we need him, he needed to score these two goals. These goals will help him and the team. He scored two incredible goals."

- TEAMtalk