Premier League is now the focus

LISTEN UP . . . City boss Pep Guardiola sends out his instructions as he stands with Kevin De Bruyne

PEP Guardiola immediately turned his thoughts to the Premier League after David Silva's goal sent his Manchester City side into the Champions League last 16.

Silva struck the 45th-minute equaliser as City claimed a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach to secure second place in Group 'C' and progress to the knock-out stages with a game to spare.

City were some way short of the standard that saw them topple Barcelona earlier this month and the match was a stop-start affair with both sides having a man sent off. But boss Guardiola was pleased enough to get the job done and hopes the qualification can help domestic form.

He said: "We have qualified with one game left and it's a big compliment for the team, for the whole stage. In general we made a good performance.

"We have qualification in the pocket until February, so now we can focus finally on one competition, the Premier League, and we can be so satisfied."

With Barcelona beating Celtic in Glasgow, City cannot finish top of the group. The other positions are also finalised with Monchengladbach going through to the Europa League as the third-placed team and Celtic ending in last place.

That renders City's final group game against the Scottish champions next month a dead rubber.

City fell behind when Raffael finished off a quick break midway through the first half.

That prompted a change from a three-man defence to a back four with Jesus Navas moving to right-back.

City improved as a result and levelled when Silva turned home a Kevin De Bruyne cross from close range.

The second half failed to ignite after Monchengladbach captain Lars Stindl and City midfielder Fernandinho were both dismissed for second bookable offences.