Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City showed the desire they need to fight for the Premier League title in their win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
City were ruthless after two frustrating draws, scoring three times in the first half and adding a four by 50 minutes. Erling Haaland scored his 27th Premier League goal - the most in any season by a City player - while Phil Foden marked his 200th club appearance with a goal and assist.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola said the performance gave him the belief that his squad are ready to fight Arsenal for the title, as he also expressed his happiness at City's response to their travelling fans on the South Coast.
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Coming into the game on the back of two draws, Guardiola said the Bournemouth win was a reward for positive performances in the last week, and the way City have come through a testing schedule showed the manager a crucial title race trait.
He said: "It's important to win games, but we have the duty to see the way the draws were done, I'm very pleased with what I've seen every day, the mood in locker room is exceptional, training sessions are really good, everyone is helping each other.
"It's tough because we play lots of games away this last month, no recovery, three days, big travels, lots of pressure, demanding physicality. Today to come here, behaving the way we behave, it makes me feel okay we have the desire to try. We will try to fight for this Premier League, I have no doubts."
Guardiola was asked about City's attitude to throwing bodies in front of a bouncing ball in their own box at 4-0 up, and Guardiola said that attitude is essential for his sides. The manager took his players to the away fans at full time and stayed longer than usual to applaud the Blues support, explaining that it was a conscious effort to thank them for their journey.
"They would be in trouble if they didn't do it," Guardiola said of the defending on the line. "When the fans come five or six hours to come here, pay for a ticket, on [much] less than our salaries, we have to run even if the result is 3-0, 4-0, 5-0. It's like my words I am a demagogue, but it's truth, the reality is like that.
"After you can play well or bad. Good controls, bad controls, score goals, don't score goals. Defend well or bad. But effort in this club since I was here and was here and will be here, never will be put in doubt. Never ever.
"We spoke about [going to the fans] in the locker room, we have to stay there longer. Five or six hours, they put their contribution to come here. We can give them the respect they deserve and stay there. See their faces how happy they are when we win, good feelings.
"Families, tell me something else can be better than that. Our supporters away are incredible, thank you again for coming, safe trip back home and we see you soon."
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