Returning To The Premier League Tiel Hunting Route, Man City Doesn't Want To Be Relaxed In 2024

Manchester City are ready to compete for the English Premier League title after returning to the top of the standings. (X/@ManCity)

JAKARTA - Defending champions Manchester City are again competing in the Premier League title race after a 2-0 win over Sheffield United, Saturday, December 30 evening WIB. Man City will not relax when it enters 2024.

Competition will be tighter at the turn of the year. The reason is that there is not a single Premier League team that has moved away from the pursuit of its competitors.

Liverpool, who are at the top of the standings with 42 points, are in an uncomfortable position. Their points have been matched by Aston Villa who beat Burnley 3-2.

However, Liverpool will still play the match against Newcastle United at Anfield, Monday, January 1, 2024 in the morning WIB. If they win, then the Reds can stay away from their competitors.

The problem is, Liverpool are not only competing with Villa but also Arsenal and Man City who both have points 40.

Arsenal will play an away match against Fulham in the London Derby. If Arsenal win then the team's position at the top will change.

Liverpool and Villa could not ignore Man City who returned to the top ranks after winning two important wins. After defeating Everton 3-1, The Cityzens beat Sheff. United in a duel at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City must be wary of not only because they have returned to winning ways. Pep Guardiola's team still has one game postponed. This allows Man City to keep the competition for the standings throne.

Guardiola has also spread threats. He said Man City would face tougher battles as it entered the turn of the year. The former Bayern Munich coach expects the reigning champions to return to compete with Liverpool.

Guardiola seems to be ignoring Arsenal and Villa in the hunt for the title for the fourth time in a row. He focuses more on Liverpool who have always been their competitors.

Man City will not relax in order to break the record as the first team to win four times in a row. Currently, Man City has matched Manchester United's record of having won the hat-trick.

"We will compete for the league title with Liverpool. If we lose, we will not win the Premier League. So I encourage players to be at the highest level of play," said Guardiola.

"In previous seasons, we've won games constantly. But now we don't want to think about how many games to continue to win. We're just focused on the next game," said the former Barcelona coach.

Guardiola believes the team will be stronger against the new year. Moreover, striker Erling Haaland has recovered from injury and can play again.

More than that, elegant midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will also appear again after a long absence due to undergoing hamstring surgery.

"Our position is better. If we lose, other teams will also have to lose. But we try to make it less and less possible to lose," he said.

Man City closed the year 2023 brilliantly. The team won trebles as well as matched MU's record. They also won the UEFA Super Cup or European Super Cup. Furthermore, Man City won the Club World Cup.

"We had an incredible year in 2023. Even this is our best year," said midfielder Rodri.

"But we want more. I estimate we will be better in the second round of the competition. We won't relax and hope all the players are fit," said Rodri, who opened Man City's victory over Sheff. United.

Meanwhile, the second goal that confirmed Man City's victory was the Argentine national team striker Julian Alvarez.