Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the battle for his players over the course of the season
Pep Guardiola Manager of Manchester City points out instructions to his players during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and City
Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola named five clubs that are a threat to Manchester City's hopes of ending their season with a 'huge success'. But the manager once again told his players to take responsibility for getting his team over the line.
City are used to being in a title race at this stage of the season, but a loss of form since November has forced them to revise their targets. And defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend was another indication that the Blues have to be looking over their shoulders for the rest of the season rather than looking up.
The Blues will kick off in fifth place on Saturday when they host Brighton, who are just one point behind them. The Seagulls won the reverse fixture earlier this season and a trip to the Etihad is not as feared as it once was.
Guardiola has spoken this season about the rise of Brighton and other teams from the middle of the league to challenge for the top spots, and believes them to be City's new rivals as they look to end the season in the right way.
"And Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, and Newcastle, and maybe Fulham. Fantastic teams," he said. "Not a surprise. I had the feeling that they deserve it. They are really good, consistent, they have incredible weapons in the way they play.
"It's not a disappointment to be here. If we are able to qualify for the Champions League, it would be a huge success from my point of view. There are seasons that you have to live that.
"It is in our hands, it depends on us and our behaviours and our football whether we will be there or not.