Pep Guardiola fearful of final day chaos in Premier League title race

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits he fears his side's clash with West Ham United on the final day of the season could be as nervy as their battle with Aston Villa back at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Two years ago, City headed into the final day needing three points against Villa to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title, but they ended up 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go and looked to have fallen at the final hurdle.

City would have the last laugh, however, with Ilkay Gungodan scoring either side of a strike from Rodri to seal a dramatic comeback.

This time around, City again arrive at the final day knowing victory is the only way to guarantee the title ahead of Arsenal, who are two points behind with a superior goal difference.

While City are heavy favourites to see off West Ham and seal the title, Guardiola admits he does not expect things to be so simple.

"I have the feeling it will be like Aston Villa again," he explained. "We would like to be 3-0 up after ten minutes but it's not going to happen.

"I've seen enough West Ham games in the last three or four days, from a few months ago, a few weeks ago, and their last game.

"They have a few things we need to control, otherwise it will be difficult. But we have two days to prepare the last game and we are ready."

Guardiola added: "The 11 players of West Ham will be ready to beat us. Like Aston Villa, two seasons ago, they didn't play for anything, but I know what happened.

"The same is going to happen, so ourselves and our people have to be ready from the first minute, to support us, to be with us and do it together."

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