Going fourth as the best of Prem

MANCHESTER CITY legend Richard Dunne believes a fourth title in five seasons would confirm Pep Guardiola’s men as the finest team in Premier League history.

Although City dropped points in Monday’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace, they are still the bookies’ favourites to finish above Liverpool and retain their crown.

The sides clash at the Etihad on April 10 in an encounter that may decide the destination of the Premier League title.

Dunne is confident that Guardiola can inspire City to further glory and continue the dynasty he has built in the blue half of Manchester.

City face Southampton in the FA Cup sixth round today before their quest to win the Premier League and Champions League resumes.

Dunne (below) said: “If City win the title this year, it will be their fourth in five years, which in the Premier League isn’t common.

“The beauty of the Premier League has always been how competitive it has been.

“For a club to dominate it like City have been is a tough ask, but what they’ve done since Pep has been there has been outstanding.

“When Man United were successful, they were a strong side, but they never had anywhere near as much dominance as City have had.

“People doubted whether Pep’s football was suited to the Premier League, but he’s proven them wrong and changed the style of football throughout England.

“You see so many managers trying to copy his style of play, so his impact is massive.”

But, for all City’s domestic success under Guardiola, they have had nothing but heartache and failure in Europe. The Catalan has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four Carabao Cups in his five full seasons in charge.

But City have fallen short in the Champions League, losing to Chelsea in last year’s final after being dumped out at the quarter-final stage in the previous three seasons.

Dunne believes City’s biggest threat to such hopes this year is from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.

The ex-Republic of Ireland defender, 42, added: “You would put City, Liverpool and Chelsea as the three favourites and on any given day they can beat each other.

“I think City have the strongest squad, they can rest players and have quality off the bench to make things work.

“You can look at the Premier League and easily have them as favourites, but in the Champions League, it’s down to one-off moments – luck, injuries, desire.

“With all that covered, though, you put City at the top of the list.”

Dunne is the only player in City’s history to win their Player of the Year award four times.

He left for Aston Villa in 2009 after making 352 appearances for City, scoring seven goals.

Dunne cites City’s Ruben Dias (above), who was recently sidelined with a hamstring strain, and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as the best two centre-backs in the top flight.

He added: “When you sign for big clubs, like Van Dijk and Dias have, it’s whether you are going to become another player or make the difference.

“Those two have made a huge difference and I would have loved to have played alongside either of them.”