Pep Guardiola says Man City’s final game at home to West Ham will be their most difficult of the season.
City returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Tottenham on Tuesday night and hold a two-point advantage over Arsenal.
The Gunners host Everton and need to better City’s result at home to the Hammers in David Moyes’ final game in charge.
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City have stumbled over the line memorably in previous title-winning seasons, famously needing a last-gasp Sergio Aguero goal to beat QPR and having to come from two-down to beat Aston Villa last year.
“We have the chance in our hands for the last game. The tennis players say ‘the serve to win Wimbledon’, the last game, is the most difficult one,” he told BBC Sport.
“It happened against Aston Villa. And many many years ago it happened with Sergio Aguero [scoring] in 93 minutes 20 seconds. So there will be the typical game.
“Now (all is) calm, thinking [about Michail] Antonio, [Jarrod] Bowen, [James] Ward-Prowse.”
Guardiola, chasing his 12th title in 15 seasons, revealed Kevin de Bruyne had gone off with an ankle knock while Ederson was withdrawn due to a vision problem rather than concussion.
“We know what we’re playing for,” he added. “The tension is there, the opponent is so good. It’s why it is difficult, we know that. Ev
“These games are more difficult but you have to do it. We’ll have one day off, two days to prepare, and then we will do our best.”
Guardiola gave his backing to opposite number Ange Postecoglou, claiming Tottenham will thrive if they give him time.
He said: “It was so difficult a game. We knew it. They play with a lot of pride and intensity and it’s so difficult to play against them. Spurs will be unbelievable in the future if they stick with the manager.”
