Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola brushed off suggestions that his team are the best in the world, even as the reigning English champions stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Brentford.

Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne scored a goal each as City extended their unbeaten run to 14 league games, pulling further clear of second-placed Liverpool, who have two games in hand.

“We are not the best team in the world. The best team is Chelsea, who won the (European) Champions League, or River Plate, who won in South America,” Guardiola told reporters. “The important thing is we won the game and in three days we go to Norwich (City) and have to win again. This type of thing about who is the best, I don’t care.

“Just be happy and try to play better every day. And at the end, we will see.”

Guardiola has led City to three league titles since taking over in 2016, though they are yet to win the Champions League, coming closest after reaching the final last season.

“We are in a good position, 60 points at the moment,” Guardiola added.

“We have to qualify for the Champions League (next season) because that is the most important target and then arrive in the last few games fighting for the title.”

Brentford’s struggles continued after a fifth successive league defeat pulled them closer to the relegation zone.

Spurs lose at home

Southampton twice came from a goal behind to put a huge dent in Tottenham Hotspur’s top-four ambitions with a 3-2 away win in a compelling clash. Son Heung-min appeared to have secured a vital win for a ragged Tottenham with a superb finish 20 minutes from time. But Southampton, who had been the better team throughout, struck twice in the space of three minutes.

Mohamed Elyounoussi headed in the equaliser before Che Adams won it for the visitors with another header — James Ward-Prowse providing the crosses for both goals.

Leeds fight back

Leeds United battled back to earn a 3-3 draw at Aston Villa after a virtuoso first-half display by Philippe Coutinho had left Marcelo Bielsa’s team crestfallen. Brazilian Coutinho cancelled out an early opener by Daniel James with a classy finish and then produced two majestic passes for Jacob Ramsey to score twice in five minutes.

James bravely nodded Leeds back into the contest in stoppage time at the end of a roller coaster opening period.