Pep Guardiola has warned his stars to maintain the stunning standard they set against West Ham if they want to keep their places.
Champions Manchester City have now won their past 15 Premier League games, three short of their own top-flight record set two years ago.
Yet after Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick and goals for Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, the City boss threw down the challenge to his men.
“If they want to play, they have to play good,” he said. “If they want to play next game, they have to play good.
“We must maintain high standards. After 180 points [actually 198, Pep] for two seasons, you need that. You have to feel pressure. Myself, first, you have to feel it.
“If you don’t you have a tendency to relax, to be sloppy, like we did in first half.”
Guardiola revealed Riyad Mahrez, now set to get a run in the side with Leroy Sane injured, called him to cut his own holiday short despite reaching the Africa Cup of Nations Final with Algeria.
“Riyad called me after they win the Copa Africa,” he added. “He say ‘I need just 10 days. I wanna come back soon. I wanna play’.
“I like it. That’s why I decide ‘okay, I want to play him’. Bernardo had done nothing wrong, but there was some little muscular problems. I want them to know I trust all of them.
“That is the truth. After four seasons I don’t not like one player who is with us... I trust with them and they have to compete with opponents, and with each other.”
