Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says they will feel the pressure of going for a fourth consecutive Premier League title when they take on West Ham United on Sunday.

Thanks to Erling Haaland’s two goals in the second half of City’s victory over their bitter rivals Tottenham on Tuesday, they are now two points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table.

Although it was a far from historic performance, Guardiola’s team did win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time in the Premier League.

Before the Norwegian striker sealed the victory for the visitors with a penalty in stoppage time, replacement goalie Stefan Ortega had to make three key saves after Haaland opened the score early in the second period.

Since December 6, City has won eight straight Premier League games and is unbeaten in all open play competitions.

On the last day, though, they play West Ham with the knowledge that a loss will give Arsenal the opportunity to win the title provided they defeat Everton.

“They were playing for the consequences of the result. When you play football thinking about the consequences, you are going to lose the Premier League, you cannot perform at your best level,” said Guardiola of his side’s display.

“But they are human beings so I can understand the pressure is there.

“It will be the same against West Ham. We will feel the pressure.”

Two years ago, in similar circumstances, City needed a late comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Aston Villa 3-2 and deny Liverpool the title.

“They feel it there and they know it. They are not celebrating, there is relief but there is still a job to do,” added Guardiola.

“The tennis players say ‘the serve to win Wimbledon is the most difficult one’.

“(We need to) prepare well, completely focus and try to win there.”

According to Rodri, City is prepared to shatter previous records by being the first team to win the English Premier League four times in a row.

“We know it wasn’t our best performance but we came here to win and that’s what we do,” said the Spanish midfielder.

“We have the experience of Aston Villa. We know it is going to be tough but with our people, our crowd, we know we can make history.”

Tottenham gave City a scare on a tense evening in north London, and Arsenal needed their local rivals to do them a favour.

Ederson was substituted by Ortega after the Brazilian took a blow to the head while challenging Cristian Romero.

Ederson was clearly upset about being substituted, but Ortega emerged as City’s hero when he made a spectacular save five minutes from time to keep Son Heung-min from tying the score.

“Stefan was simply incredible”, added Rodri.

“I know Edi was upset but the substitution makes sense because he had a concussion.”

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