Pep Guardiola: winning Premier League is harder than Champions League

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that winning the Premier League title is an even tougher quest than lifting the Champions League trophy.

City will retain the domestic title if they defeat Aston Villa on Sunday – a result that would make second-placed Liverpool's game against Wolves irrelevant.

The European Cup remains elusive for Guardiola, who has been in charge at the Etihad since 2016, and City with their latest attempt ending at the last-four stage when the lost to Real Madrid, who take on Liverpool in next weekend's final in Paris.

But the Spaniard believes that reigning supreme in the English top-flight remains the ultimate challenge.

“I would say it's more difficult. There's a lot of weeks and games, struggles with injuries, good and bad moments with different situations, tough opponents,” Guardiola said.

“It's satisfying because it's every day. When you fight for the Premier League and have success right at the end, it gives you a sense that you enjoy a lot. We are happier in our lives when you win.

“When you win and win it [makes for' good training sessions, a good environment and mood. It's not like the FA Cup or a single game, it's a routine.

“I'm not saying the Champions League is not important. We're mad, crazy to win it. We want it, we love it.

“We'd love to be in Paris [for the final] next week but to win 38 games, rather than six, eight or nine games, is different.

WEST HAM RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski – 7 Kept his side in it at 2-2 with a terrific penalty save to deny Mahrez in the closing stages. He didn’t have much of a chance with City’s goals, especially Coufal’s own goal. Booked.

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“Always I like it, since I was a player. The league is nice and we are on the verge of