VINCENT KOMPANY has vowed to “swing the hammer” if any Manchester City stars switch off during the run-in.
City’s hopes of lifting any silverware vanished when they lost their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley nine days ago.
Yet they still face a huge battle to finish in the top four and earn Champions League football.
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After Sunday’s weary 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, skipper Kompany warned he will not tolerate anyone taking their foot off the gas.
The Belgian centre-back, 31, said: “I’d swing the hammer if I thought there was any lack of motivation or desire.
“The mood in the dressing room is not great as we need wins and that didn’t happen.
“It’s not about my comeback from injury any more — it’s about pushing the team forward.
“Our first half at Boro just wasn’t good enough. But we will be at it from the first minute in the final games.”
Fourth-placed City’s last four matches all look winnable on paper — starting at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Kompany added: “If we finish strongly, we have something to look forward to next season, as you want to be in four competitions.
“We still have everything in our own hands and there is not a single doubt in our minds that we’ll get the job done.”
Fit-again Gabriel Jesus rescued Pep Guardiola’s men with a late leveller at the Riverside.
And boss Guardiola admitted he rushed his Brazilian star back from a broken foot.
The Spaniard said: “Gabriel needs time as he was out for three months and only had three or four training sessions.
“The idea was for him to just play 50 or 60 minutes but then we had to change some players.”
Jesus, 20, added: “I’m sad I didn’t play as I can but it’s normal after injury. If you’re not focused, any Prem team can beat you.”
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