Guardiola hails City 'legends' after title defence

MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed his team as "legends" after they won their fourth Premier League title in five years with a 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa in Sunday's (May 22) final game.

City had trailed 2-0 and risked seeing the title slip out of their grasp before Ilkay Gundogan scored, Rodri equalised and then Germany midfielder Gundogan grabbed the winner in an incredible five-minute spell.

“Four Premier Leagues – these guys are legends already; people have to admit it. This group of players are absolutely eternal in this club because what we achieved is so difficult," said the Spaniard.

“First one 100 points (in 2017-18), second one in Brighton (final day, 2018-19), the third without people and this one with people is the best," he added.

City had crashed out of the Champions League with a semi-final loss to Real Madrid after conceding three goals within five minutes late in the second leg and Guardiola jokingly said that he had taken tips from the Spanish club.

"I called Real Madrid and they gave me good advice!" he said.

"No explanation in Madrid, no explanation today. It's momentum. Sometimes it's nice to live these kinds of situations. I have the feeling this will help us to be stronger next season," he said.

"Maybe we need a little bit more time but every second that passes after this Premier League we realise that four Premier Leagues in five years in this country is probably the best achievement we have done in our careers. It is incredible," he added.

The former Barcelona coach, who moves ahead of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho who both had three Premier League title triumphs, showed some empathy for Liverpool who finished second.

"Juergen Klopp said a few days ago about the winners that