'Top of the league' - Pep Guardiola defiant on Man City after Jose Mourinho comparison

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pep Guardiola said that this Manchester City team would be top of the league without their injury crisis. The Blues were top of the Premier League table by a point after nine games and unbeaten in all competitions after a start that exceeded their manager's expectations.

However, an injury crisis has torpedoed their campaign with four straight league defeats meaning they will kick off at home to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday in fifth place.

City's sharp decline has raised questions not just about the team's chances of more silverware this season but whether the squad and club are reaching the end of their golden era of dominant success.

Guardiola held six fingers in the air in Anfield when he was serenaded with chants that he was getting sacked in the morning to remind everyone of the Premier League titles City have won under his watch - an action that saw some question whether he was losing his cool as it was compared to Jose Mourinho making a similar gesture towards the end of his time at United. READ MORE: Pep Guardiola open to Stefan Ortega call despite Ederson reaction READ MORE: Guardiola gives mixed Man City injury updates ahead of Forest "I was never cool," Guardiola said. "I was only cool because we won.