Pep Guardiola joked that he shed any kilograms gained over Christmas as Manchester City left it late to secure a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner sent City top of the Premier League, at least temporarily, after Omari Hutchinson cancelled out Tijjani Reijnder's opener early in the second half.
It marked a sixth straight win for Guardiola's side, a feat they last achieved as part of a run of nine at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The Catalan coach warned his players against overindulgence during the festive period, with anyone who failed to maintain their weight told they may be left out of the squad.
Fortunately for Guardiola, his approach worked, and he was able to select an unchanged starting line-up for the sixth successive match – City's most since the 2008-09 campaign.
"All the kilos I gained over Christmas time, today I lost it. I am fit again," Guardiola told TNT Sports.
He continued: "What a team Sean Dyche has made again. That's a really, really, really big three points [for us].
"[Forest] are an incredible team, the way that they play, they do it unbelievably. They have a top-quality team. This team was in the Champions League but for one or two games last season, and now in European competitions. A fantastic team and tough place to come, and at winter time.
"We talked a lot about this in the last few days with the players. Winter time, at Nottingham Forest, you have to be there, there, there. If we are not ready, then we do not win that game. The mentality was unbelievable, so really pleased again for the guys.
"We have 18 games played, so we have now finished the first leg. And in the second, we know that coming is a lot of games like today. The Premier League is tougher, tougher, tougher, but it is important to be there. Winning or losing would not mean it's over; we have many games."
Guardiola celebrated both of City's goals wildly with assistant coach Pep Lijnders, who worked under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
"He is so good. He is a top manager. Sometimes people think, 'he's the assistant' – well, maybe I am his assistant. We talked at half-time and changed a little bit the shape," added Guardiola.
City will hope to keep the pressure on Arsenal when they travel to Sunderland on Thursday.
Rowikmoruy
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Whether one is a Manchester City supporter or not, it's clear City plays total and entertaining soccer. The City Coaches have complete control of their Team