Manchester City defender John Stones says manager Pep Guardiola's calm approach has them on the brink of a successful title defence.

Stones has revealed the secret of Guardiola's management style when the chips are down... staying relaxed.

He said: “I think that's good.

“Everyone is so involved in winning the Premier League. I don't watch too much football at home, or read too much about it. I try to switch off. It might be strange for some to hear that, that a footballer doesn't watch football or get involved in it, but that gives you a release of switching off and not getting drowned in everything that is going on - what position you are in, what's going on..

“I think we need to stay calm. Everyone has their own routines to stay calm and prepare well for the game, we need to keep doing that and get the best out of each other.

“We've never looked at the table until recently, when it's started to go down to the wire and we could take matters into our own hands, being out on the pitch and playing those games. It'll be special because it will be back-to-back, not because we've been pushed by Liverpool."