‘Caipirinhas, daiquiris’: Guardiola tells City to enjoy life amid title chase

Manchester City beat Newcastle 2-1 at the Etihad as Nico O’Reilly scored on 14 and 27 minutes, with Lewis Hall’s strike between his goals. City moved to 56 points and a goal difference of 31, one fewer than Arsenal; Arsenal can widen the gap to five if they win at Tottenham, though they would have played a game more.

With Arsenal due at the Etihad on 18 April, the title remains in both clubs’ hands. Pep Guardiola urged his players to relax during the short break. “I say to the players: ‘Guys, what we have to do is take a lot of caipirinhas, daiquiris in these three days [off]!

Enjoy life. And after that, make a proper three training sessions, and go to Leeds,’” he said, adding that 70% of his squad had never been in this situation.

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