Manchester City

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Manchester City and Wolves in the Premier League.

• Manchester City have won seven of their past eight home Premier League matches against Wolves, losing the other 2-0 in October 2019.

• Wolves have completed one Premier League double over City since Pep Guardiola joined the club in 2016, which happened in 2019-20. No side in Guardiola's entire league managerial career has completed more than one double over the Spaniard.

• Manchester City are unbeaten in their past 31 games in all competitions (W25 D6). The last Premier League team to have a longer run were Manchester United, who went 33 games without defeat between December and May in the 1998-99 campaign.

• All five of Wolves' Premier League away wins this season have been against either teams starting the day in the relegation zone (two) or London clubs (three). They have lost 18 of their 20 Premier League away games against sides in the top two, winning the others at Tottenham (December 2018) and City (October 2019).

• Kevin de Bruyne's two assists in City's 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest last time out took his overall tally in the Premier League to 110; he is now just one behind second-placed Cesc Fabregas in the all-time ranking in the competition.

• Both Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha have scored 11 Premier League goals for Wolves this season. There has been just three times a player has scored more for the club in a campaign - Steven Fletcher in 2011-12 (12) and Raul Jimenez in 2018-19 (13) and 2019-20 (17).

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Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown believes Pep Guardiola's side face a stern test when Wolves visit Etihad Stadium on Saturday (17:30 BST).

A trip to Tottenham looks to be City's hardest game in the title run-in but Gary O'Neil's team beat them earlier in the season at Molineux and have relished facing the Premier League's elite this campaign.

"I think it's more than just the Spurs game," Brown told BBC Radio Manchester's We're Not Really Here podcast. "We have to respect everyone.

"Wolves will be right up for it. It's easy to say it's just one game. This is the Premier League, you have to earn the right to play every single time.

"That's where I think Pep and his players don't underestimate what they are coming up against. I don't think they'll just focus on Spurs and think it's their only problem. I really do believe that and I think it's so important to have that mentality where you understand you can't slip up.

"Gary O'Neil has gone into Wolves with no pre-season, no build-up, and he's got them to play the way he wants.

"Of late they've been a little bit inconsistent and they possibly wanted a little bit of help in the January window but I just think he's done an amazing job.

"The day where they beat City earlier in the season, they just had their game plan right, they just sat in, they waited, they filled the gaps and he's good at that.

"They're going to come again and try to frustrate, wait and delay. I don't think it's routine at all."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Today would have been Marc-Vivien Foe's 49th birthday.

It barely seems credible that it is almost 21 years since his death from a heart condition when he was playing for Cameroon at the Confederations Cup in 2003.

Foe was West Ham's record signing when he joined the club in 1999, on the same day as Paolo di Canio.

The midfielder played 48 games for the Hammers before moving to Lyon and then on loan to Manchester City in the summer of 2002.

He score nine goals in 38 games for City that season and would probably have made a permanent switch to Manchester had he not tragically died in June 2003.

His death at the age of 28 shocked the world, although sadly it took another few years before the issue of potentially fatal heart problems among supposedly super-fit professional athletes started to be properly investigated fully.

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Pep Guardiola delivered an altogether more cerebral masterclass against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Under pressure and surrendering chances even if they were 1-0 up at the break, Pep realised his team was not controlling the game's tempo in midfield. The two wingers Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were removed and control was restored.

By the time Erling Haaland had scored the killer second, City were strangling the life out of the previously lively home side with their dominant possession.

This level of game awareness and game management is what sets Manchester City apart - well, that and a bunch of ultra-adaptable world-class players. Pep's belief in his own special way never falters.

The title is still going to be stunningly close but I have not budged yet on my suggestion from the start of the season that City would prevail, however well Arsenal have stepped up to the challenge.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

Despite losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final a couple of weeks ago, there is still much to celebrate at Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola completed 300 games as City manager at the weekend. He has won 221 of them at a win percentage of 73.6%, which is far higher than any of the other league's coaches.

Rodri continues his incredible winning run in a City shirt. Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest means it has been 449 days and 70 games since he has been on the losing side.

In previous seasons City have put together some impressive runs at the end of the season to ensure they go on to win the league title.

In 2019, they put together 14 consecutive wins. In 2022, they were unbeaten in their last 12 games. And in 2023, they went on a 12-game winning run.

City are on a 19-match unbeaten run at the moment.

With just four games to go, and with no Champions League distraction, there could be even more to celebrate by the end of the season with an unprecedented fourth league title in a row.

Nigel Rothband can be found at The Man City Show podcast, external

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's We're Not Really Here podcast, Mike Minay, Michael Brown and Amos Murphy look back at key wins over Brighton and Nottingham Forest and hear from defender Josko Gvardiol.

On the title run-in, former City midfielder Brown said: "We might have to win every single game. I wasn't sure they could win every single one - whether there was a draw in there or something different - but now Arsenal are making sure they have to do that.

"They have to be at their best every game, every week, every minute, every training session. That will be a big week out of the way which was a slight concern for me with Brighton and Forest.

"Now, some time to rest and recover with a big game coming up at the weekend. I think the team has needed that.

"Arsenal have got their confidence back. They played one bad half against Aston Villa which let City back in but now they've recovered well, got this week out of the way, and go to Manchester United.

"What worries me for City is away to Fulham - really excellent at home, looking to finish strongly - and then the Spurs game, they will still want a reaction, still be fighting for Champions League.

"City will have to set it in their mindset that they have to win every game. They've done it before and they're gonna have to do it again. That's the mindset, they will have to take that challenge on."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

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Nathan Ake has dismissed any fears Manchester City could lose the title to Arsenal and insisted: "It's in our hands."

Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland struck to give a below-par City a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday to move them a point behind the Premier League leaders.

Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand and will be champions if they win their four remaining matches, regardless of what the Gunners do.

Arsenal host Bournemouth in Saturday's early kick-off before City welcome Wolves in the late game five hours later.

But defender Ake denied the defending champions, hunting a historic fourth straight Premier League title, are worried about playing catch-up.

"We're not depending on what they do. That's the difference from last year [when] we were still depending on what they were doing," said the Netherlands international.

"It's in our hands. We know if we win the next four we are champions. The only thing we have to do is focus on the next one.

"Obviously it would be nice if they dropped some points. [But] We focus on ourselves.

"Everyone's got the experience but, in the end, experience doesn't really make a difference. It's about now - what we do now. At the moment it’s going well.

"It's so close - but it's also so far away. Every game is going to be a tough one. It felt like on Sunday people expected us to win, but these kind of games are never easy.

"Next week we have another that will be tough and the only thing we can do is go game by game.

We asked for your views on Sunday's match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

Here are some of your answers:

Forest fans

Fosi: We played very well but we just didn't take our chances. It was just about our best performance for a long time. If we repeat this performance, we will stay up!

Mark: Nottingham Forest were certainly not overwhelmed by Manchester City. If only they could finish the chances they create. Well played Forest.

Fin: A very poor side that would struggle in the Championship. They tried to buy success and bought very poorly. They broke up a good side who got them promotion in the first place and sacked an excellent manager in Steve Cooper. Now they are going downhill fast, while blaming everyone else.

City fans

Usama: We weren’t at our best, that's for sure, but the belief with this group is apparent for all to see. The confidence and trust they have in one another helps us to see out games like this one. These are the sorts of attributes a team needs to win titles after titles, just like City have done in the past few years. We go again next Saturday.

Natalie: What a sloppy game from City. Being clinical in front of goal is a must, which Forest will be disappointed about. I think Pep will be having some strong words before the next game. That being said, job done and there are just four more games to go! Come on City.

Scott: A really good 'get the job done' performance. At times, we were very sloppy with our passing game and Forest were exceptional with their use of pace on the counter-attack, making for an excellent game of football between two sides fighting for very different prizes. Four games still to play and we hold our fate in our own hands.

Rhiannon: A really good performance. Gvardiol was excellent, getting another goal for us. Hopefully we can keep this run of form up until the last game.

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Are footballers allowed to be tired?

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol told BBC Sport's George Cummins "I’m exhausted to be honest," following Sunday's win over Nottingham Forest and a busy month in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola's side have played nine games in the last month, including an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

"Bless them, it is a tough being a footballer!" Telegraph writer Luke Edwards joked. "Gvardiol has started 32 games in all competitions which by the start of May is not a huge amount.

"I will give him a pass though because it is his first season in the Premier League and he is getting used to the physicality and speed of the English game."

The 22-year-old became the second-most expensive defender of all-time when he signed from RB Leipzig for 90m euros (£77m) last summer.

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly says Manchester City's intensity week in, week out "astounds" him and it is what separates them from title rivals Arsenal.

"They are just relentless," said Kelly on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "There is an inevitability with them because no matter who they play against they dominate the game.

"Arsenal went to Tottenham and showed resilience without dominating possession. City dominate every game and produce more chances and hold possession more than any other team.

"When you catch City it has to be on the counter-attack because they have over exposed themselves. But they continue to play like that in every game because they are a team that do not stop.

"The level Pep Guardiola has them playing at every week astounds me because of their intensity. I know he complains about tiredness but they do not show it."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the best of the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Saturday' seven games on Match of the Day here

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City

West Ham and Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 26, says he is "very happy" at the club amid speculation that he will join Manchester City. (ESPN, via Goal), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the win: "It was more than hard. It was such a difficult game, but we knew that. The game we played in Brighton feels like a few hours ago, so it is always difficult.

"Coming here, Liverpool won in the 99th minute and Arsenal won 2-1, so it is always difficult to come here. It was a difficult game, we suffered a lot but at the end we take it."

On the best things about the performance: "We defended the box really good, especially with Manu [Akanji], Nathan [Ake] and Josko [Gvardiol]. Then, in the last half an hour, when Bernardo [Silva] comes inside with Kova [Kovacic], we controlled the game more. We are a team that survives with the ball.

"It is a lot of games and we knew today would be difficult for many reasons, but we take the win and move forward."

On playing after their rivals in the title race: "The pressure is how you play. If you play good and control the game, then people say you don't feel the pressure. If you play bad, people say you can feel the pressure.

"In certain moments, we suffered. We were lucky today the pitch was so dry because of the chances they missed - that was the reason why. We were lucky today that the pitch was in these conditions."

On Erling Haaland's return and the absence of others: "It is important that he is back and doing what he does. Kevin found him and it was a really good finish. He was not ready for 90 minutes, but it was good for him to be back.

"Ruben [Dias] had a fever and made the effort to go to Brighton, but since coming back from there it has gotten worse. Phil [Foden] said today that he doesn't feel good, so that is why he couldn't be with us."

On having six days off now: "First have two or three days off, people have to rest and refresh the mind, do a training session, have fun and then prepare for the next game against Wolves."

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Former Newcastle United winger Chris Waddle has been discussing Manchester City's chances of a fourth consecutive Premier League title and the return of Erling Haaland on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Erling Haaland is a goal scorer, it's as simple as that.

"He isn't known for his link-up play, dribbling or skills - he is a goal scorer and that is what he is good at. It was a good finish and he passed it into the bottom corner.

"With Erling Haaland coming back, he will probably be the difference.

"Manchester City are just an outfit who know how to win matches, they know what they need to do.

"The ball was very lively and it caused City a few problems, but credit to Forest's tactics. They were good and they caught City on the break.

"For an hour, Forest gave them a very good game."

Manchester City goalscorer Josko Gvardiol has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I am more than happy to score one more goal in this difficult game to help the team. Also, it was a great ball from Kevin [de Bruyne], we know his qualities.

"I am more happy about getting the three points. Finally we have six days to rest and recover well, and prepare for the next one."

On playing a more advanced role today: "At the beginning it was one idea, then the manager changed it after half an hour, then again at half-time he made a change back so we were doing the same as at the beginning of the game.

"To be fair, I was a bit lost because I didn't know exactly what he wanted from me, but he was much clearer after at half-time."

On the result not conveying how tough the game was: "Yes, the result looks like the match was pretty easy but the conditions were really tough, especially the pitch. The grass was really dry, which is what we expected before the game.

"I get it because they were also fighting for the points but, as I said, it was difficult. At the end of the day, it's three points back home."

On if there is more pressure playing after the other title hopefuls: "If you ask me, not really no. They have played one game more than us, so all we need to do is to go game by game.

"The end of the season is coming soon and we need to be 100% focused."

On this part of the season being City's time of year: "I have heard it a lot, yes. It is my first season, it is really difficult and it is really stressful, but that is why I'm here.

"I am really enjoying it and hopefully we are going to win it [the Premier League], but there are still four games to play."

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been speaking to Sky Sports following the win: "It is an important win, it does not matter how we do it. It is good to be back.

"We knew it was going to be a fight, and the pitch was not the easiest to play on, but we cannot complain.

"It is about winning and that is exactly what we did."