Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad

City boss said: 'I understand you have to be careful, but they want to share it when they are happy

Posted Monday, April 23, 2018 by Thesun.co.uk

PEP GUARDIOLA defended Manchester City fans' right to party after thousands ran on to celebrate their title triumph.

The new champions will be charged by the FA after a final whistle pitch invasion by celebrating supporters, who also set off flares.

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
Pep Guardiola defended Manchester City fans who invaded the pitch - with the club set to face charge from the FA

Yet boss Guardiola insisted he will never tell them not to, and said: "Football is an emotional game.

"I understand you have to be careful, but they want to share it when they are happy.

"It's better if they stay off but not I'm going to tell them that – it's best that they are happy.

"That's good – it's time to celebrate and I'm not going to tell them not to enjoy it."

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
Manchester City fans hail their heroes' achievement, ignoring warnings not to stray on to the pitch

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
This was City's third Premier League crown in six years - and the fans loved it

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
Gabriel Jesus and the City players were engulfed by their adoring fans

City were actually crowned kings of the top flight last week following Manchester United's defeat by West Bromwich.

But this was the Citizens' first home game since landing their third championship in six years following the triumphs of 2012 and 2014.

And their delerious supporters weren't about to let the occasion pass without a party.

They engulfed the players after goals from David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus had done for the sorry Swans.

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
Fans invade the pitch and grab a moment with Benjamin Mendy and Jesus

Supporters gathered at Etihad Stadium before kick-off to parade replica trophies, fly flags and welcome the champions on arrival.

Pep Guardiola's side were applauded by the Swansea players and staff in a guard of honour before kick-off.

Then they produced a performance worthy of a title-winning side.

Victory took them to 90 points, five short of the Premier League record set by Chelsea in 2004-05.

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
The fans were in mood to let the City stars head off for the dressing room any time soon

Manchester City set for FA charge after fans invade pitch but Pep Guardiola defends title celebrations at The Etihad
Vincent Kompany gets the adulation his performances have deserved this season