PEP GUARDIOLA sent a cheeky message of support to West Ham as his team closed the gap on Arsenal to two points.
The Manchester City boss crossed his arms to make the Hammers sign and said “come on you Irons” before hilariously running out of his press conference.
Mikel Arteta’s men go to London Stadium on Sunday for a game that is going to be vital in the title race.
Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland both scored against Brentford to ensure City kept the pressure on the Gunners at the top, before Omar Marmoush added a late third.
Pep admitted he is enjoying the battle, saying: “I love it. I love to be here again. Finish second again minimum so I love it.
“I didn’t enjoy last season it was difficult but the Carabao is in our pocket, the FA Cup Final at Wembley is the most beautiful day of the season and I love it.
KNIFE HORROR
Ex-Premier League star and family held at knifepoint in terrifying robbery
SWIFTY
Win a Swift Trekker and a Volvo or £90k cash from just 34p with our code
“When you arrive and have the feeling that the job can be done, well done.
“When you arrive fighting against Arsenal, having made many changes, seeing how they help each other in every training session, it is a joy.
“It’s not in our hands but all we can do is win again.”
And as he finished speaking to the press, he dropped his brilliant quip and revealed he is a part-time Hammer.
Haaland scored the goal to make it a half-century for club and country this season as he made the points safe with City’s second.
And he admitted his team are dreaming of the title.
Haaland said: “If you play for Manchester City, you think of titles every single day. It feels good to win 3-0 and we are happy.
“My tally is alright. It’s been an up-and-down season. I am trying to do my job and 26 league goals is more than last year. So it’s OK.”
Doku salvaged a point with a super show at Everton on Monday night and was at it again here – breaking the deadlock with a stunner on the hour.
The Belgian said: “When you arrive at this point it is all your sacrifices are for, you sacrifice everything to arrive at this point.
“Then you always find some energy to push through, especially this type of game.”
He dedicated his goal to his father David – who was celebrating his 60th birthday and has been a crucial part of his career.
Doku added: “He sacrificed his life for me every time, bringing me to the club not knowing I would be what I am now.
“For me that’s a big thing so him turning 60, I’m grateful and that’s why I wanted to give this goal to him. Having him around is a blessing.”
Brentford looked capable of ending City’s title dreams until the home side edged ahead on the hour.
Even then there was a key moment as Matheus Nunes pushed over Kevin Schade as the Bees forward looked certain to equalise.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews added: “I just look at the second one and every time I’ve looked at it – and I’ve looked at it three or four times – there’s no way Kevin would go down.
“And the comment that was made was ‘there wasn’t enough contact’. But Kevin’s one of the quickest players in the league.
“When he’s moving at such speed, it’s only going to take a bit of contact. He’s got the goal gaping. So that one was a penalty.”
Read the full article here