Pep Guardiola became the fastest manager to reach the landmark of 500 points in the Premier League following Manchester City ’s draw at Southampton on Saturday evening.
City saw their 12-game winning streak broken by Saints, who took the lead in the seventh minute through Kyle Walker-Peters’ brilliant finish.
The visitors dominated the ball, but went in at the break 1-0 down after Raheem Sterling spurned a good chance to equalise.
Aymeric Laporte headed in Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick to level, while the Belgian midfielder, Rodri and Gabriel Jesus all struck the woodwork as City pushed for a winner at St Mary’s.
It didn’t come, as the game finished 1-1, but City remain 12 points clear of second-placed Liverpool, who travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
There was something to celebrate for the reigning Premier League champions, with a point enough for Guardiola to reach 500 from just 213 games in charge of City.
That record makes him comfortably the quickest in the competition’s history, ahead of Jose Mourinho (231), Jurgen Klopp (236), Sir Alex Ferguson (242), Arsene Wenger (249) and Rafa Benitez (267).
The other managers to have achieved the feat are some way further off: David Moyes (340), Martin O’Neill (351), Mark Hughes (367), Sam Allardyce (386), Harry Redknapp (392) and Steve Bruce (441).
Guardiola believes the toughest of the game against Southampton emphasised just how difficult it is to win back-to-back Premier League titles.
“That's why it is the hardest prize to achieve every season, the most important one,” he said.
“It's so difficult, with different contenders, everyone is ready. We are the reigning champions, we have won a lot in the past, and it's not so funny for the rest, so it's more difficult to win and win.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Pep Guardiola the best manager in Premier League history? Comment below.
“That's why making back-to-back titles in the last 12, 13 years has happened only once, which was ourselves, and now we're trying to do it again.
“We know how difficult it is and I don't need to win, draw or lose today to know that we still have a lot of games to play. What we have to do is try to behave and play the way we played today.
“Even winning today, the title race would not be over. In January, no one is champion, there are many games that must be played.”
The City boss was disappointed with the result at St Mary’s, but delighted with his side’s performance.
“We played really well. Unfortunately, in the first half we conceded a goal, but I think this was one of our best performances of the season, by far,” he said.
“They were incredibly organised and this is one of the best performances we played against them. Yes, the result was not good, but in terms of performance and the way we played, it was excellent.
“We played better than in the Arsenal game, when we won, and today we drew. Sometimes you deserve it and you don't win, but the way we played here was excellent.”
