Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message to his Manchester City squad as they push to the final whistle of the Premier League title race: focus on what you can control, and never rely on outside factors. Speaking ahead of Wednesday's crucial home clash against Crystal Palace, the City boss didn't hold back when reflecting on past disappointments, pointing to officiating errors in their last two FA Cup final defeats as a lesson in self-reliance.

"We lost the last two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn't do the job they should do—even the VAR," Guardiola admitted, referencing painful losses to Manchester United in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025. "When that happens, it's because we have to do better. Not the referees and the VAR. Never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago."

With just two weeks left in the season, City trail Arsenal by five points but hold a game in hand. Their remaining fixtures—Crystal Palace (home), Bournemouth (away), and Aston Villa (home)—offer a clear path, but Guardiola knows there's no room for error. The Gunners face Burnley and Palace in their own run-in, meaning every result matters.

"We play tomorrow at 8pm, then go to Bournemouth, and finish at home against Aston Villa," Guardiola said, keeping his focus laser-sharp. "How important is it to take it to the last game? Important is tomorrow. We'll see what happens next."

The 55-year-old manager stressed the dangers of losing focus, urging his players to stay locked in. "Always I learned: when you lose the focus, you are in dangerous situations. The only thing we can do is do it better. That is all I can control."

For City fans, the message is clear: this team is fighting to the end, and they're not relying on anyone else to decide their fate. Whether you're gearing up for matchday or just love the drama of a title race, it's a reminder that in football—and in life—the best gear and the best mindset come from within.