Win title? Give it a rest, lads

MANCHESTER CITY players know the pressure is ramping up in the Premier League - and Pep Guardiola is backing them to embrace it.

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

City go into the final third of the season after a fortnight without a midweek game as they look to reel in Arsenal at the top of the table.

Guardiola has given his players the best part of a week off in that time, only bringing them back in on the Wednesday before their Saturday games.

The manager joked about wanting them to drink cocktails after their win over Newcastle.

City's squad have impressed Guardiola on each of their returns to training, but there could easily have been more sessions.