Pep Guardiola not interested in debating whether Man City are world’s best team

Pep Guardiola brushed off suggestions Manchester City are the best side in the world after moving 12 points clear in the Premier League.

The champions saw off Brentford 2-0 on Wednesday to tighten their already firm grip on the title race.

Their form continues to attract plaudits but manager Guardiola, who felt his team had needed to dig deep and be patient to see off the Bees, claimed only to be interested in results.

He said: “We are not the best team in the world. The best team is Chelsea, who won the Champions League, or River Plate, who won in South America.

“The important thing is we won the game and in three days we go to Norwich and have to win again.

“This type of thing about who is the best, I don’t care. Just be happy and try to play better every day.”

City dominated the first half against the Bees but initially struggled to stretch their opponents, who sat deep.

It took a 40th-minute penalty from Riyad Mahrez after a foul on Raheem Sterling for them to break through.

Kevin De Bruyne made victory certain in the 69th minute after an error by Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.

Guardiola said: “It was a really tough game. They defended with high pressing man to man and when you break this press they defend so deep and compact, there are no spaces.

“We had to be patient, make no mistakes. Thanks to good movement from John Stones to break the lines and a good action from Raheem for the penalty, then the second half was much better.

“It was an important victory. We knew it would be a tough game.”

Guardiola singled out Stones, who played at right-back as Kyle Walker was rested, for additional praise.

He said: “He played against Leeds in that position. Today he was more than brilliant, the most important player in the