Pep Guardiola plays down talks of lifting the EPL trophy at Manchester United after Manchester City beat Stoke 2-0 on Monday night. David Silva was the beneficiary of well-executed build-up play from Manchester City, scoring twice in a routine win at Stoke. In this episode of Futbol in America we explore the windy city, where younger players talk about balancing the sport they love and their education.
STOKE-ON-TRENT -- Vincent Kompany says Manchester City need to forget about trying to secure the Premier League title in the Manchester derby and just make sure they win it.
The City captain took another step towards his third title with the club with the 2-0 victory over Stoke City on Monday night.
City now just three victories to be guaranteed the Premier League crown but they can do it if they win their next matches against Everton and the derby with second-placed United.
"Let's put everything straight first: we just want to win the title," Kompany told reporters. "Everything else is a bonus, a cherry on the cake.
"But it doesn't stand or fall by this one game. It's unfortunate -- well, not unfortunate... it's just one thing that we know that a lot of the fans will want. Whether we can deliver it is a completely different discussion. We need to be steady."
The Belgian international also warned that it won't be easy against Everton, who Pep Guardiola has never beaten in three attempts as City boss, or United, who will be desperate to stop City collecting the trophy.
"I'm very specific in saying it's not going to be handed to us," Kompany added. "If anything that'll be a harder achievement than anything else this season.
"I cannot think of a team as big and with as much quality as first of all Everton and then United, just letting us have a perfect moment. Usually you want to spoil it with everything you've got. I know that's what I'd be feeling if I was on the other side.
"We'll use this 14 days to get ready mentally to keep the level up, like we've done every single game."
City headed out to Abu Dhabi immediately after the victory over Stoke for a warm weather training and Kompany insists they will be working hard on their break to ensure they are ready to secure the title and for their Champions League quarterfinal.
"It's a great thing because it gives the lads the chance to clear everything mentally and physically and come back to be prepared to go for the last push," he said.
"The manager said we've still got stuff to work on. But just having the sun feels like a holiday. It's not going to be but you get what I mean: Just a little bit of sun will do for us. It'll probably rain when we're there!"
Jonathan is ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @jonnysmiffy.
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Source: espn.co.uk