TITLE D-DAY TIMELINE
Blues down-to-the-wire duel with Reds forced the best out of Pep’s men
THEY deserve to be remembered as the best champions in the Premier League era.
Manchester City retained the title in the greatest season in history and that should go down as boss Pep Guardiola’s crowning achievement.
They were pushed to the limit by an outstanding Liverpool, who forced them to go through boundaries they did not reach even in last year’s record-breaking campaign.
Quite how Liverpool can get 97 points, lose just one game all season, and still not win the title is incredible.
That is a measure of how good this City team have been to finish above them. This season has been unique, two teams miles ahead of the rest in every sense.
City could yet win the domestic treble while Liverpool could be crowned European champions. The duel between Liverpool and City is what will set this year apart – Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have gone toe to toe in the ultimate slugfest.
Liverpool were seven points clear as New Year dawned and could have gone 10 in front if they had won at the Etihad on January 3. The Mersey men were strong title favourites at that point but City’s 2-1 win was the biggest turning point in this incredible battle.
The leadership has changed hands a record 32 times over the course of the season and the frantic chase has been as remarkable as it has been thrilling.
Liverpool’s worst run was four draws in the space of six games. The stalemate at Everton on March 3 was ultimately the day they lost control of the title race and put their destiny back into City’s hands.
From then on, Guardiola’s men have been relentless, a winning machine. Indeed, since losing at Newcastle on January 29, they have won 14 games in a row. They have won the title in style.
Raheem Sterling has been voted the FWA player of the year, but Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva would have taken individual gongs in any other season.
The speed, movement and flow of their football has been exceptional.
Vincent Kompany (above, right) scored perhaps the most iconic goal of the season when his 28-yard screamer flew into
1937, 1968, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019 BACK-TO-BACK WINNERS
MINS Quiet at Brighton, but Alireza Jahanbakhsh gives City fans a scare as he flashes a shot narrowly wide.
MINS Advantage Liverpool as Sadio Mane sidefoots Klopp’s men 1-0 ahead at Anfield. What will that do to City’s nerves? MINS Andy Robertson’s long-range shot is beaten away by Rui Patricio as Liverpool pile on the pressure.
1993 & 1994 1996 & 1997 1999, 2000 & 2001 2005, 2006
2007, 2008 & 2009 2018 & 2019 the top corner against Leicester last Monday just at a time when City’s grip was beginning to weaken.
Every time there has been a challenge, City have risen to it. They are so far ahead of the rest that you never really thought they would crack in the final furlong.
Even when Brighton had the temerity to take the lead at the Amex on the final day – when, for all of 83 seconds, Liverpool were in pole position – City never faltered.
After Glenn Murray’s 27thminute opener had been quickly cancelled out, there was only going to be one winner and the only question was by how far.
That has been the story of City’s season.
Aguero scored the equaliser after 28 minutes, turning brilliantly onto David Silva’s flick before firing through keeper Mat Ryan’s legs.
Aymeric Laporte’s header put them ahead after 38 minutes from Riyad Mahrez’s corner and the celebrations in the away end really began with
MINS Could Liverpool’s dreams really come true? From a Brighton inswinging corner, Glenn Murray nods home at the near post – 1-0 to Albion. Jubilation at Anfield. Off comes Pep’s jacket. City are two goals adrift of the title now. MINS Make that one. Sergio Aguero – who else? a sea of supporters decked out in blue cheering another trophy, with a third up for grabs in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Mahrez settled any nerves with a beautiful third goal, his wonderful dribble leaving Brighton defender Lewis Dunk on his backside before he smashed a shot into the top corner. Ilkay Gundogan curled a free-kick home after 73 minutes to wrap it up.
City have been the best. There can be no quibbles about their title triumph.
They rightly took the applause as the trophy and medals were presented in the sunshine.
Afterwards, Guardiola talked about his pride in their achievement but also how his team had weaknesses and how he is the tallest guy in the dressing room so “they go to the church to pray” when defending setpieces.
The best always want to get better and you get the feeling that Guardiola (above, left) will never be satisfied.
That, ultimately, is what has set City apart.
– fires under the body of Mat Ryan to make it 1-1, but Liverpool are still ahead in the race. MINS City up the intensity. A Bernardo Silva flying header is saved by Ryan.