KEY POINTS

  • Man City defeated Newcastle 5-0 Sunday
  • City are now 3 points clear at the top of the league table
  • Pep Guardiola's side will next take on Wolves in the league

Pep Guardiola has claimed "everyone" in the U.K. supports Liverpool FC over his Manchester City, as the two clubs are yet again locked in an exciting title race in the Premier League.

Liverpool dropped points Saturday as Tottenham held them at a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Man City thrashed Newcastle United 5-0 Sunday to go three points clear at the top of the 2021-22 Premier League table with three more games remaining in the season.

While Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League final and are chasing a historic quadruple, Guardiola’s Man City are alive only in the English top flight. Real Madrid produced a stunning comeback to eliminate the Etihad side from the top European tournament last month.

"A week ago, nobody [thought we would be champions]. Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media, and everyone. Of course, Liverpool has an incredible history in Europe. Not in the Premier League - they've won one in 30 years. [But] the situation is what it is. We have to [take] nine points, maybe six right now," Guardiola was quoted by Goal, as telling beIN SPORTS after City’s 5-0 victory.

Manchester City hold a one-point Premier League lead over Liverpool with five games to play
Manchester City hold a 3-point Premier League lead over Liverpool with 3 games to play AFP / Paul ELLIS

Man City’s final three league games of the season are against Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.

"It depends what is going to happen over the next two games. Wednesday [against Wolves] is a real, real, real final for us. Our destiny is in our hands, and this is important," added Guardiola in the same interview.

Man City have scored five or more goals in a Premier League game for the 30th time since Guardiola took over in the 2016-17 season, which is more than the second and third most instances by teams combined -- City – 30, Liverpool – 14, and Spurs – 13, according to Opta Joe.

The City players on the goal sheet against Newcastle were Raheem Sterling, who netted a brace, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden. Sterling, who opened the scoring for the hosts on Sunday, now has 50 league goals at the Etihad Stadium, becoming the second player to reach the milestone at the ground after Sergio Aguero (106).

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