FIVE KEY GAMES EN ROUTE TO THE TITLE

Dec 15, 2020... Man City 1 West Brom 1

Guardiola admitted: “I didn’t like what I saw,” after this draw and held a meeting with his coaches the next day, where it was decided to return City to the philosophy that had made them so successful in the past. Guardiola said: “We had to move the ball quicker, make more passes, stay more in position and run less with the ball.”

Jan 3, 2021... Chelsea 1 Man City 3

With just 14 fit senior players, after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the squad saw their game at Everton called off six days earlier, City won with goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne. Guardiola said: “At Stamford Bridge, with just 14 players available, that was the moment we believed we could do it.”

Nov 21, 2020... Spurs 2 Man City 0

A second Premier League defeat of the season left City in 13th place at the end of the weekend, eight points off top spot, and convinced manager Pep Guardiola change was needed. Out went Aymeric Laporte and in came John Stones, to begin what would prove to be a formidable central-defensive partnership with Ruben Dias, the foundation on which City’s title assault would be built.

Dec 19, 2020... Soton 0 Man City 1

The start of City’s remarkable 21-game winning run in all competitions – 15 of them in the Premier League. A solitary Raheem Sterling goal secured a vital victory which was to prove the launchpad for City’s revival, although it still left them sixth – eight points behind leaders Liverpool, after 13 games.

Feb 7, 2021.. Liverpool 1 Man City 4

City moved five points clear at the top with a first win at Anfield in 18 years, aided by a calamitous display from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. A brace from Ilkay Gundogan and further goals from Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling secured the seismic win, which kept Guardiola’s men on course for a third title in four years.