Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have had their best week... they are the new Manchester United, insists Phil Neville

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A week full of late goals and endless drama for Manchester City was not blessed with the form that has been associated with Pep Guardiola's side this season, but Phil Neville claimed the results compile his best week in the job.

Inside the space of seven days, Guardiola's side have struck late on three occasions to earn a maximum take of nine points - where it could have easily been just three, or even less at times.

Two goals inside the last 10 minutes by Raheem Sterling, first against Huddersfield and then Southampton on Wednesday night, followed by David Silva's winner against West Ham on Sunday have preserved City's eight point lead at the top of the Premier League heading into the Manchester derby.

Phil Neville has labelled Manchester City's last three wins as the best in Pep Guardiola's tenure

David Silva was on hand for City's winning goal against West Ham on Sunday - which was their third goal to come in the last 10 minutes of their past three matches this week

But while the victories were not City's most convincing, nor most aesthetic, former Manchester United and Everton defender Neville has insisted the week that has just past speaks more about Guardiola's side than their previous rampant displays.

'I think it's his best week as the Manchester City manager,' Neville said on BBC's Match of the Day 2. 'They've shown characteristics this week of a championship winning team, without a shadow of a doubt.

'To have the patience in the last 20 minutes of games – West Ham were fantastic today (Sunday) – but what City do is they tire you out and wear you down. They know the moment when to pass.

Guardiola's side maintained their 13-match winning run and eight point Premier League lead

'They've got that belief. They've got that ability not to give up.' 

But while Guardiola will be chuffed with the efforts his side have put in this past week, his Old Trafford rival Jose Mourinho also takes confidence into the all-important derby this weekend after United ground out a well-earned 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates.

Nonetheless, Neville claimed United supporters and players alike will - and should - be worried.

'The celebrations at Southampton in midweek were a worry for Manchester United supporters and players. Because, that used to be Manchester United. Now it's Manchester City and it's a worry for the rest of the league.' 

As Neville insisted Jose Mourinho's side should fear their rival's climb to the top