Joleon Lescott rubbishes Man City 'Emptihad' claims and lauds Pep Guardiola's impact

Joleon Lescott has shot down ongoing criticism surrounding Manchester City fans and has praised Pep Guardiola for bringing sustained success to the Etihad.

Since Sheikh Mansour invested heavily into the Blues, the club has continued to grow into a European power and tasted success domestically in the process, winning multiple Premier League titles as well as League and FA Cups.

Following the introduction of Guardiola to the helm, the Spaniard has helped bring a number of talents to the blue half of Manchester to help establish themselves as title favourites each season.

But the Etihad has been tarnished negatively with claims of a failing atmosphere and often referred to as 'Emptihad'.

The term has often been used by rival fans as a jab at the club's attendances at the Etihad Stadium, a phrase commentator Jim Beglin went on to apologise for after making the quip.

However, the former Blues defender Lescott has denied claims that their success is taken for granted.

"The City fans definitely don't [take the club's success for granted]," he told BT Sport.

"Outside of the club I think it's taken for granted, how far they've come in the last 10 years.

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"The performances and the level of performances they've put together in the last few seasons - I know every City fan appreciates what the manager's [Pep Guardiola] done and where they are."

Despite early dominance from Chelsea