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LONDON. – Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are not genuine contenders for the English Premier League soccer title – yet.

City stormed back to the top of the table on Monday night by claiming a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on a dodgy Wembley pitch, thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s early winner.

The Etihad giants lead Liverpool on goal difference and are two points ahead of third-place Chelsea after 10 games. The reigning champions are still unbeaten in the top-flight this season and have a staggering plus 24 goal difference having conceded just three times.

But Guardiola insists his side must get better to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea for the crown this term.

“We still have a lot to improve, that is my feeling,” said Guardiola.

“To play a game on that pitch is not easy and that’s why there were many mistakes that normally should not happen but even knowing that I had the feeling we have a lot of things to improve individually and collectively to be a real contender.

“We are a very good side of course but when you go to play in the last third of the Premier League and especially in Europe we demand other issues and points that we still don’t have.

“Hopefully we can talk about it, train it, be conscious about it and maybe in the future we can improve it.”

Guardiola conceded that the pitch played a part in Manchester City’s important win over Tottenham at Wembley Stadium, with Erik Lamela’s second-half miss the key moment.

The Argentine looked odds on to score late on as Spurs pushed to cancel out Mahrez’s early opener but fired wildly over the bar after being set up by Dele Alli, although replays showed that the ball bobbled just before Lamela connected.

With the surface at the national stadium still patchy after hosting several NFL matches in recent weeks, Guardiola said that the poor state of the pitch contributed to the lack of quality on display .“Of course, it was a good victory against a tough opponent, one of the more physical opponents I have faced in my career,” said the Spaniard.

“Congratulations to both sides because it was a good game in difficult conditions with the pitch. Lamela had a clear chance and due to the grass, they did not score,” he added.

“If the grass is good, Lamela with his quality in his left foot is in a better position to score a goal. Of course, it’s a good victory, for the conditions and the tough opponents. Congratulations to both sides.”

Spurs boss Pochettino also blamed the pitch for Lamela’s miss.

“When the ball was going to Erik I said ‘goal’ but no, watching the replay, the ball just bounced before his boot and that is why he missed. I think it was a great game in difficult circumstances. I feel very proud. The effort was fantastic, and we competed really, really well. It is a shame we conceded after five minutes but the team was good. I am happy with the performance.”

Pochettino was also disappointed to lose to Manchester City during an even Premiership encounter where Riyad Mahrez’s sixth minute goal settled the tie. Playing on a well-worn Wembley turf as a result of Sunday’s NFL match between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars, both sides did well to play such a high-level passing game.

And having praised Tottenham’s performance against the Premier League champions, Pochettino said his side could have got more from the game.

He told the club’s website: “It was a very good performance. I’m disappointed with the result but I think the performance was good.

“It was an even game, we were very competitive in a good game in difficult circumstances for both teams. I’m happy in the way we played and competed. We gave everything to try to win. You can say nothing but to be proud of the effort of the team.”

Reflecting on the goal conceded, the manager added: “Yes, disappointed, but what can we do now? We can only work hard, try to give the team trust and confidence and look forward to the next game.”

Spurs have a quick turnaround as they face West Ham in a League Cup fourth round tie at London Stadium on tonight. – AFP.