1:00 Pep Guardiola admits he didn't expect Manchester City to maintain such a high level this season, after winning the Premier League last term Pep Guardiola admits he didn't expect Manchester City to maintain such a high level this season, after winning the Premier League last term

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been surprised by his side's consistency over the last two seasons, as they continue their pursuit of consecutive Premier League titles.

City won the league with a record points haul of 100 last season and are on course to defend their title with two games remaining in the current campaign.

The Etihad club will return to the top of the league with victory over Leicester on Monday Night Football and Guardiola has been impressed with his squad's continued desire to maintain high standards.

"When I arrived I didn't expect us to maintain that level," he said.

"When you have 100 points everybody can start to think 'Now, we don't do what we have to do - we can do a little bit less because we won'.

City are one point ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League with two games remaining in the season

"It was completely the opposite. Every three days in all competitions we tried to play and tried to win.

"Sometimes it didn't happen but that's football, we accept when we lose, shake hands with our opponents and congratulate them.

"But arriving at this stage with two games left, with nearly 100 points is the most satisfying thing as a manager. It is not easy and they did it again."

A narrow 1-0 win over Burnley edged City closer to the title last week and Guardiola has called for more goals when his side face Leicester at the Etihad.

He said: "To do a job you have to score goals. Especially if you score two or three, the job will be easier.

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"I've never said when we've scored one goal, 'Okay now forget to attack, just defend', but sometimes you have to defend when the opponents are better or playing good.

"We are going to try to create to chances and concede few. If we can score more the last few minutes will be easy."

Guardiola recently described Liverpool as the "most difficult" opponents he had faced in his managerial career and the Spaniard gave similar praise to the Premier League as he reflected on his three seasons at the Etihad.

"This is the toughest league I have managed in," he said."The quality of the rival, is toughest no doubt. That is why being there [at the top] is incredible.

"Only one will take the prize and the other one will be upset."