Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola praises players as win closes gap at top
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Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City: I have huge admiration for my players - Guardiola
Pep Guardiola praised his Manchester City players as "supermen" as they kept up their chase for a fourth straight league title by beating Bournemouth.
Phil Foden's goal was enough for a narrow and nervy 1-0 Premier League win at Vitality Stadium, which moves City one point behind leaders Liverpool.
City manager Guardiola praised his team for finding a way to win having played in midweek against Brentford.
"I adore my players - they are supermen," Guardiola told Sky Sports.
Manchester City beat Bournemouth on Saturday evening, having defeated Brentford at home on Tuesday
"They are so good. Where we come from, for many years, playing every three days - they [Bournemouth] had seven days to prepare for the game and we always have less.
"We demand too much of our players but they respond. I know people say 'they earn a lot of money' but it [the schedule] is too much. Honestly.
"But business must go on and it surprises me every time how we are still there. They have an incredible character and are so competitive - even when they are tired, they give extra.
"Our fans have to be so proud of these guys."
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City toiled at times at Bournemouth on their way to a second successive 1-0 victory, after beating Brentford by the same score on Tuesday as they continue their attempt to be the first side to win four successive top-flight English titles.
Guardiola defended his team, who are also in contention for back-to back-trebles as they compete in the FA Cup and Champions League.
"The last 10-15 minutes were tough," he said. "We won the Treble and people think we have to win every game 4-0, 5-0 but that is not the reality and hopefully soon we can have a week off and refresh our minds and legs."
City next travel to Luton in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday (20:00 GMT), before a local derby against Manchester United next weekend followed by the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Copenhagen on 6 March.
It is a hectic schedule, but defender John Stones says City can deal with it.
"We thrive off the pressure," Stones told Sky Sports.
"It's just focusing on ourselves - every game is a final for us. They come thick and fast now and we know we have to perform well."
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