Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points with a 1-0 win away to Brentford on Wednesday, but City midfielder Phil Foden has insisted that the reigning champions will not become complacent in their pursuit of the Premier League title.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official website after the Brentford game, the 21-year-old said that while the win was an “important” one, City would continue to remain focused. “Around Christmas time, you can’t take your foot off the gas, you have to keep going and remain focused, which the team is doing at the moment and you can see we are getting lots of points,” said the England international, whose 16th minute goal sealed City’s win on Wednesday.

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Foden went on to highlight the challenge of playing in the Premier League, which he described as “the most challenging league in the world,” but added that he was “happy” about City’s focus and their recent performances.

City’s win over Brentford saw the reigning champions register their 10th straight league win in a row, and Pep Guardiola and his side will be looking to continue their outstanding run when they travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Saturday, January 1.

City’s joys of late have been compounded by lacklustre performances by title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. While Thomas Tuchel‘s side managed a 1-1 home draw with Brighton on Wednesday, Liverpool succumbed to a 1-0 away defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday night. Things are looking even brighter for City, as Liverpool and Chelsea are set to play each other at Stamford Bridge on January 2, a fixture that will see either or both sides drop points.

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While City’s fixture against fourth-placed Arsenal, who are in decent form, will be no walkover, the reigning champions are likely to go all guns blazing as they look to consolidate an already formidable lead at the top.