Captain Vincent Kompany says Manchester City side have “a once in a lifetime opportunity” to win the title against rivals Manchester United after they restored their 16-point lead at the top of the table with victory at Stoke.
David Silva scored both goals at the relegation-threatened Potters to ensure the Blues can clinch the title at home to United if they beat Everton first.
“Everybody in the blue side of Manchester knows it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Kompany. “But steady, it won’t be handed to us.”
Manager Pep Guardiola took a different approach, acknowledging his side would be champions “sooner or later” but playing down the significance of sealing matters in a derby game.
“Now we are two or three games away from being champions,” said Guardiola, adding it “doesn’t matter when we win it”.
Silva slotted in Raheem Sterling’s cross to give Manchester City an early lead over Stoke before finishing off a slick passing move after the break.
Sterling later pounced on a loose touch following a controversial drop-ball and raced through towards goal but Badou Ndiaye recovered to get a crucial touch just as the England winger prepared to shoot.
Fernandinho and Leroy Sane both came close for Manchester City as they sought to extend their lead, while Stoke’s Bruno Martins Indi also fired over the bar from close range.
The hosts had moments of hope in the first half – Ndiaye’s scuffed effort bounced narrowly wide and Kyle Walker’s deflection forced a save from Ederson.
But they remain in the relegation zone after failing to pick up a win in six matches and still one point adrift of safety.
Having thrashed Stoke 7-2 in October, this is the first time Manchester City have done the double over the Potters since the 1998-99 season, when both clubs were in the third tier.
It was another disappointing evening for Stoke as they extended their run of games without a win to six – although most observers probably did not expect them to take any points from Guardiola’s runaway leaders.
Stoke struggled to make an impact against the visitors and were on the back foot from the off thanks to Silva’s early goal.
“Momentum is with us,” Lambert said after last week’s draw with Southampton but it was not in evidence here.
There were moments of good play – most notably Ndiaye’s effort in the first half after a sweet nutmeg from Xherdan Shaqiri – but it ultimately looked the David and Goliath contest that respective league positions suggested.
The Potters have eight games remaining to find the points they need to extend their 10-year stay in the top flight but their upcoming fixtures are not favourable.
A trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal looms and is followed by another tough game against Liverpool at Anfield next month.
Stoke also entertain Tottenham before ending the season against relegation rivals Crystal Palace and Swansea – two games which could prove pivotal to their survival.
The Potters have picked up just one win in 2018 but, with the bottom half of the table changing on a weekly basis, one game could make all the difference.
Title in touching distance for Manchester City
A routine victory for Manchester City brought another three points that only tighten their grip on the Premier League trophy.
Just two more wins are all that are needed and if City can overcome Everton at Goodison Park later this month, they could seal the title on derby day with a win over rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola’s side bounced back from a surprise 2-1 second-leg defeat by Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday and with the league as good as wrapped up, they can focus all their energies on that competition.
Nothing but an away win looked in prospect once Silva gave them an early lead and their only disappointment will be that they could not convert further chances.
It was also a good opportunity for Gabriel Jesus and Sterling to regain their fitness following recent returns from injury.
All in all, it was a sound day at the office and Guardiola’s men already had their bags packed for a trip to Abu Dhabi as they enjoy three weeks off.
‘It doesn’t matter where we win it’ – What the managers