The Premier League leaders maintained their charge towards the title as they ground out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Guardiola has won 29 trophies in his glittering managerial career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, including back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019, but this season's results - amid a pandemic - could eclipse that.

City are unbeaten in 27 games and their run of 20 successive victories in all competitions is a record for an English top-flight side.

The City boss said: "It is so difficult. Twenty in this period, in this era, with this situation around the world - to be able to do 20 is maybe one of the greatest achievements we have done together in our careers.

"That doesn't mean we will win titles but we have not had one week's rest in three months.

"A game every three days, with the Covid situation, injury situations - to make this winning run shows mental strength."

City were not at their fluid best and were made to dig deep for their latest victory by the hard-working Hammers.

Goals in each half from defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones, either side of a Michail Antonio equaliser, ultimately proved the key contributions.

Guardiola said: "We didn't paint something nice but there are many of these games during the season.

"A big compliment to West Ham. After 26 fixtures they were in the Champions League positions. They have everything.

West Ham manager David Moyes hailed his side's performance although he was not prepared to make any promises about Champions League football, and even tried to play down rising expectations.

He said: "We came to the best team in the country, probably the best team in Europe, and we gave them a really good game. We were always in the game."

Australian Associated Press