We have a lot of things to improve if we are to be a real contender- Pep Guardiola

The Spanish gaffer did not let the squad to be carried away with the win against Tottenham.

Manchester city manager, Pep Guardiola still feels that his side has room for improvement despite being on top of the Premier League table after Monday night victory over Tottenham.

The reigning champions are up and running to defend their title this year but according to their gaffer, the team still needs to improve if they want to achieve success in the Premier League and also in Europe.

The Cityzens are currently sitting at the top of the table after a 1-0 win over Tottenham thanks to an early goal from Riyad Mahrez. It was their eighth win and sixth clean sheet on the bounce but the team is far from performing their best and hence the Spaniard is not convinced and wants his side to improve.

It may be a warning bell for the other Premier League sides as well as the Spanish manager wants his side to pull up their socks to achieve great things this year.

We have a lot of things to improve if we are to be a real contender,” he said.

“We are a very good side. I am not saying the opposite, but when you are going to play at important stages in the last third of the Premier League and especially in Europe, we demand another issue or points that we don’t have.

“That is why hopefully we can talk about that and train for that and hopefully in the future, we can improve that.”

Pep also did not shy away from criticising the pitch conditions in Wembley and claimed it to have played a severe role in the team's not so satisfactory gameplay. Wembley hosted a NFL game just 24 hours earlier the clash and that was the reason for the shocking conditions at the stadium.

Spurs could have got something out of the game when Erik Lamela in the final ten minutes of the match had a golden opportunity. Lamela who was just 10 yards away from glory miscued his shot completely when he had only Ederson to beat.

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“To play a game on that pitch is not easy and that’s why there were many mistakes that normally should not happen,” Guardiola added.

“But even knowing that I had the feeling we have a lot of things to improve.

“When we played at the Emirates, at Anfield and Wembley it is normal you are going to concede chances with the opposition that is so tough and so good.

“It is important to get clean sheets, but it was a little bit exceptional, it was only due to the grass that they didn’t score.

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“If the grass was better I am pretty sure Lamela, with his quality and left foot, would score.”

Guardiola's concern is absolutely justified as the Spaniard has high hopes with the club and wants to achieve success in Europe aswell. The battle for the Premier League crown also intensifies as the reigning champions are top of the table with only superior goal difference as Klopp's Liverpool are also in close vicinity.