'Players not concerned with being perceived as title contenders' - Guardiola

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, said on Friday that his players are not worried about being perceived as title contenders or not as their only focus is playing Crystal Palace on Sunday. "I don't think the players are more optimistic or more angry or upset because the people consider us this season as not contenders (for the title) or maybe (Manchester) United and Liverpool are better than us. It's not about that," said the 49-year-old.

The Catalan manager's only concern was reversing Manchester City's poor form against Crystal Palace for the last two seasons. "The last two seasons against Crystal Palace home, we got one point, we lost and we drew. So our performance in Selhurst Park was much better than at the Etihad Stadium. That's why the only concern I have is to win against Crystal Palace," replied Guardiola, when asked about his preferred result in the Manchester United against Liverpool game.