MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola has said he has been "overwhelmed" with Manchester City's response to their Champions League exit as they moved back top of the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero's second half scrambled winner earned City a 1-0 victory at Burnley to move them back a point clear of Liverpool with just two games of the season remaining.
- Manchester City ratings vs. Burnley
It was the third win in a week after victories over Tottenham and Manchester United since their painful quarterfinal exit to Spurs, knowing any slip would hand Jurgen Klopp's side the advantage in the title race.
"It is not easy, for Liverpool as well, but, especially our defeat against Tottenham, our reaction has been outstanding, overwhelming," Guardiola told a news conference. "How they have reacted with their mental strength after the problems we had and without Kevin De Bruyne, without Fernandinho, without important players, and then come here and play the way we played.
"Now we have to keep going, just two games. It is tough for Liverpool, it is tough for us, with 91, 92 points and still we are not champions but that's what it is."
Aguero's goal was awarded with the help of goalline technology, which showed the ball over the line by fewer than three centimetres.
Guardiola was relieved that the goal was awarded but also said City should have a penalty when David Silva's shot struck Ashley Barnes on the arm but, with no video assistant referee, the decision wasn't reviewed.
"I didn't know [if it was a goal] and if it's just centimetres, maybe without technology it is not given," Guardiola added. "There was a penalty not given but that is why I like it.
"All we have done for the past two seasons, nobody gave us anything. we won it, we did it and that's good. [Aguero] is a legend. He does that all the time, with important goals. He's an incredible player."
With Guardiola desperate to defend his one-goal lead as Burnley pushed for an equaliser, he brought on John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi for the final minutes, finishing the game with six defenders.
And Burnley boss Sean Dyche said he was proud that his side had forced City into kicking the ball into the corner in a bid to kill time.
"It's a compliment that I heard Pep Guardiola screaming 'get it in the corner'," he told a news conference. "It's just goes to show that even the best sides have to do it.
"I thought it was refreshing to hear a top manager scream to his players get it in the corner. I think it is sign of him wanting to win. You have to do what he wants to do to win."