Pep Guardiola has offered an unusual explanation for Manchester City’s late-season surge, jokingly but insistently pointing to the rare sunshine in Manchester.
After City’s 3-0 win at Chelsea on April 12, Guardiola said: “The sun… No, no I’m not joking. In Manchester, there is never any sun. If there were sun in November, we would be Premier League champions in January. It’s the sun, honestly. The mood is better.”
The victory at Stamford Bridge goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guéhi, and Jeremy Doku, cut the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to six points. City currently sits 2nd with 64 points from 31 matches, having won 19, drawn 7, and lost 5, with a goal difference of +35. Arsenal have 70 points from 32 games.
City also advanced in the FA Cup on April 4 with a 4-0 win over Liverpool. While Guardiola’s comments were delivered humorously, the numbers back up his team’s improved form, with seven matches remaining.