Pep Guardiola names third Premier League title challenger alongside Arsenal and Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes there is a clear third contender for this season’s Premier League title that is perhaps going under the radar at present.

City’s 5-4 victory at Fulham may have strengthened their position near the top of the table, but also served as another reminder of just how unpredictable this season’s ongoing Premier League title race could become.

While Arsenal remain the most direct rival in Guardiola’s view, the Catalan coach used his post-match reflections to highlight another club making rapid progress. The dramatic contest at Craven Cottage offered a chaotic mixture of attacking brilliance and defensive frailty, further reinforcing Guardiola’s belief that consistency over the months ahead will be crucial.

City looked to be cruising after establishing a 5-1 lead early in the second half, only for Fulham to mount a remarkable late push that brought the home support to life and forced Guardiola’s side into desperate defending.

Erling Haaland’s historic 100th Premier League goal, Tijjani Reijnders’ composure in front of goal, and another brace from Phil Foden were enough to get City over the line, but the chaos of the closing stages left Guardiola delivering warnings as well as praise.

The win kept Manchester City within touching distance of Arsenal, but Pep Guardiola insisted the title race stretches far beyond a two-club duel this season – and that one rival in particular is being overlooked.

Speaking to reporters after City’s dramatic 4-5 win at Fulham on Tuesday night, Guardiola was quizzed for his latest thoughts regarding the Premier League title race with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

“The Premier League is SO long, and I promise you I’m the oldest [longest-serving at one club] manager in all the Premier League and I’m experienced enough to make long, long runs to try to fight to win the Premier League,” said Guardiola.

He continued, “This is SO long, admitting opponents even Chelsea impress me every day more and more with Enzo [Maresca]. But it’s long, it’s long! The Premier League is SO long, many things will happen.

“We won six Premier League [titles], four or five in December, January, February we were behind by four or five points, and we won it. Consistent, be there, improve. The team who wins the Premier League is the team who grows during the months, and this is what we try.

“No injuries, less as possible, go there. It’s so long! But, at the same time, push, but we have to push ourselves, control better situations, emotions, and we’ll see what happens!”

Manchester City will now turn their attentions to a home clash at the Etihad Stadium and the visit of a newly-promoted side as Guardiola warned, “Now we look at Sunderland; I saw their game against Fulham and oh my god!

“Now I understand why Sunderland are in the position that they are [in], no doubt. They are so incredible in what they do, they are top!”

Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have evolved into a more stable, structured team with improving results, and the City boss has been vocal in his admiration of their progress. His acknowledgment suggests in his mind this season may resemble some of the multi-club races seen earlier in his Premier League tenure rather than a head-to-head battle.

As for Manchester City, the focus now shifts quickly to Sunderland’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, where Guardiola will demand far more control than what was shown in west London.

With squad rotation expected and injuries handing Guardiola plenty of food for thought in the centre of the park, City face a crucial period in ensuring they stay on track during the busiest stretch of the campaign.