Premier League: Fixture pile-up will ‘kill players’ says Pep Guardiola

Manchester City got back to their winning ways last night with a 3-1 win against Watford, a victory that extends their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 15 points.

Chelsea could reduce that gap to 14, if they beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this evening, but it would take a brave punter to bet against the Sky Blues being crowned champions at the end of the season.

Saturday’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace was the first time in 18 league matches that City had failed to take maximum points, and the more optimistic of their rivals hoped it was a sign that their momentum was petering out.

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But Watford at home was just the sort of game required to restore normal service, and City took just 38 seconds to open the scoring, with Raheem Sterling converting Leroy Sane’s cross.

When Christian Kabasele put the ball into his own net in the 13th minute it was effectively game over, and City spent the rest of the match on cruise control.

Sergio Aguero made it 3-0 midway through the second half, and there was a consolation goal for the small band of travelling Watford fans when Andre Gray netted eight minutes from time.

Despite his side’s victory, however, City boss Pep Guardiola used the post-match interviews to warn the powers-that-be that they should think more about player welfare in scheduling matches over the Christmas period.

“I think the federation have to reflect,” he said. “Everyone is in that business for the players. The people come here to watch and enjoy the performance of the players.

“Here in England, we don’t protect the players and that is a big mistake… What everyone saw in the last weeks, how many injuries the players have, we are going to kill them.”

Last night’s match was City’s fourth in 11 days, and there has been a noticeable drop-off in the standard of the Sky Blues’ performance.

“You have to look for the quality, not the quantity,” said Guardiola. “You can play every three, four or five days but not play every two days. It is not basketball, it is not tennis. The players need recovery.”

Asked whether he believed the schedule would be trimmed next Christmas, Guardiola replied: “I don’t think anything is going to happen, because the tradition is the tradition, but just think a little bit about the players, please. They are artists.”

In last night’s other Premier League fixtures, there were victories for West Ham and Crystal Palace - wins that move both further away from the relegation zone - while Tottenham leapfrogged Arsenal to move into fifth spot with a 2-0 win at Swansea.

With the Lilywhites playing West Ham on Thursday, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino gambled by leaving Harry Kane on the bench, but goals from Fernando Llorente and Dele Alli saw Tottenham home.

“The three points are massive,” said Pochettino, whose side now trail Liverpool by four points, but have a game in hand over the Reds, lying fourth in the table. “Now we rest and work in the video room because we have another game so soon.”

Last night’s Premier League results

• Southampton 1 Crystal Palace 2
• Swansea City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
• West Ham United 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
• Manchester City 3 Watford 1

Tonight’s Premier League fixture

• Arsenal vs. Chelsea (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports)