“I couldn’t sleep” – Kyle Walker reveals emotional toll of Manchester City’s Premier League title pursuit

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has discussed the emotional impact of the Premier League title race.

The 33-year-old could mark his 300th Manchester City appearance with a sixth Premier League title in seven years on Sunday afternoon, with the Sky Blues requiring a win over West Ham to secure an historic fourth successive title.

Pep Guardiola’s side took control of the title race with a crucial win over Tottenham on Tuesday evening, as an Erling Haaland brace and a series of huge saves by Stefan Ortega secured a vital three points.

Haaland rolled Manchester City into the lead just minutes into the second-half, before emphatically dispatching a 91st minute penalty to secure the victory, after Jeremy Doku was fouled in the box.

The win came despite a number of second-half scares for the Blues, with substitute Ortega brilliantly denying both Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski, after being introduced for an injured Ederson.

Kevin De Bruyne was also forced off in the second-half due to injury fears, with the Belgian and Walker two of the most senior members of the Manchester City squad.

Walker, who became Manchester City captain following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan last summer, has been involved in a series of pulsating Premier League title races against both Liverpool and Arsenal.

The Sky Blues and the Gunners have been battling at the top of the table for a second consecutive season, and Manchester City will beat Mikel Arteta’s side to the trophy with a win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking post-match, the England full-back revealed to Sky Sports the emotional impact of the title race: “Last night, I couldn’t sleep. They tried to set fireworks off but we weren’t there, they missed us. I can’t describe the feeling when we went 2-0 up.

“It was very difficult with the emotions riding on it but the lads did the job they needed to do. It is one step closer. You have to take every game as it comes. We had a job to do tonight but we know how things can swing.

“We prepare, we recover and West Ham is another final and hopefully we can go and make history for this great club. It is not job done by a million miles. Hopefully we can get the win. If I didn’t enjoy the pressure, I would be in the wrong job and the wrong team.”

Manchester City face West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, meanwhile Arsenal host Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Guardiola’s side have a further match remaining after the weekend however, with Manchester City set to also face Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup Final on Saturday 25th May at Wembley Stadium.