Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reiterated his belief his side will not go through the Premier League season unbeaten after their 18-game top-flight winning run was ended by a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
City conceded an injury-time penalty but goalkeeper Ederson saved from Luka Milivojevic, prompting Match of the Day host Gary Lineker to say Guardiola’s side have an “air of invincibility about them”.
The draw preserves their unbeaten record in the league this season and takes them 14 points clear at the top – the biggest gap between the leaders and the chasing pack at this stage of the season in top-flight history.
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal went through the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten, but Guardiola thinks City will not match that feat.
“I am not thinking to be unbeaten,” said Guardiola. “That is not going to happen.
“Maybe Arsene is worried about that but I tell him many times that 2004 run is for him. Today is completely different to 2004.
“There are now more strong teams, a lot of competitions, a lot of games.”
Guardiola left Selhurst Park with two injury concerns – striker Gabriel Jesus leaving the field in tears in the first half, and playmaker Kevin de Bruyne taken off on a stretcher after a heavy tackle from Jason Puncheon in the final minute.
