On Sunday the 15th of April, Manchester United lost 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford, handing the title to their closest rivals, Manchester City with 5 games still remaining in the season.
City had the chance to win the title last weekend with a win over Man United (the irony), however a 3-2 defeat meant they would have to wait at least 1 more week, however, they would not have expected to lift the trophy through a Man United defeat to bottom-placed West Brom. City’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday meant that United just needed to avoid defeat to make City wait at least another week. To the fortune of Manchester City, they didn’t.
It has been a tough few weeks for the champions, who suffered three consecutive defeats, including a forced exit from the Champions league quarter final stage at the hands of Liverpool FC, but the news of United’s defeat yesterday will no doubt have brought many smiles back to those involved with the champions.
Under the management of Pep Guardiola, who is in his second year in charge, City have captured their third premier league title, making it three titles in 7 years. Guardiola’s philosophy of close-touch passing and a skill-orientated style seemed to fail him last year, but City have been rampant this season and are fully deserving of the premier league crown. Guardiola has an impeccable overseas managerial record, winning seven league titles in 9 seasons with other clubs, however he admitted that winning the premier league would be “one of the best”.
“It’s more difficult (to win in England),” he said. “Physicality, weather conditions, the amount of games; the Premier League is so tough.”
Since the turn of the year, they have dropped points to only Burnley, Liverpool and Manchester United, showing incredible goalscoring ability while keeping steady heads in defence. With players such as Sergio Aguero (21 goals), Kevin de Bruyne (15 assists) and Leroy Sane (12 assists), it is no mystery as to why City have been miles ahead of their closest competitors, and with 5 games remaining, they still have the chance to reach 100 points – a tally no other side has achieved before.
Despite the season not being over just yet, City will no doubt have their eyes on recruiting some more big players this winter in the hope that the club can take the next step by winning the Champions League. From what this season has shown us, there is no doubt that Guardiola’s squad has the ability to do so, it remains just a question of execution.
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