The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Unstoppable City ‘the best ever’
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anchester City’s stars hailed the club as “unstoppable” and one of the best teams in Premier League history after they clinched their fifth title in six years.
Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday ensured City could not be overtaken, and they sealed the deal in style by defeating Chelsea 1-0, their 12th consecutive league win.
Defender Kyle Walker told Sky Sports: “Obviously every one is a very special moment. I think to not be sitting at the top of the league for as long as we were, I think it was 11 points at one stage, so to then come back just needing a victory out of one of the three games, it’s brilliant.
“This group of lads are second to none. They’re professionals, they’re winners, and I think that’s how we get across the line more times than not. But we’re not finished. We’ve got the FA Cup against our bitter rivals Manchester United and then we’ve got the Champions League final.”
City face United in the FA Cup final on June 3 before meeting Inter Milan a week later as they chase a first Champions League.
“It would be fantastic but there’s a lot of football to be played before we can start talking about the treble,” said Walker.
“We’ve got two massive finals. To go and get this, I think we can stamp our mark on being one of the greatest teams of all time in the Premier League.”
Jack Grealish has been a key player in their recent winning run, and he said of his second Premier League title: “Obviously it’s different. For me personally, I feel this year especially I’ve played much more of a part. I feel good in myself, I feel confident, back to my normal self and what I knew I could do.”
Asked if City feel invincible, the England forward added: “It’s mad because I spoke to some of the lads not long ago and I said, ‘Imagine if someone said to you to win the league you’ve got to go and win 12 games in a row?’
“I’m not saying I didn’t think we could do it but it was going to be difficult. We’ve got so much talent in this squad and I think at the moment we feel unstoppable.”
It was a first title for goal machine Erling Haaland, who said: “(It’s) a dream. I don’t know what to say. It’s just unreal and I’m so happy. These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life. We’ve been fighting so hard.
“Debut season, 36 goals so far, Premier League trophy and two finals left – not a bad start.”
Kevin De Bruyne is now an old hand at winning titles with City, and added: “I know people expect us to win a lot but we work every day for this and a lot of people sacrifice for us so we’re very grateful.
“I think sometimes it’s more tough mentally than it is physically because you have to go again, again, again, but the team is hungry. I want to win more and keep going while I still can.”
The emotions were a little different for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who finally made his first Premier League start for the club.
“Obviously it was a great feeling,” he said. “When I came in this morning the manager told me I was playing and I was just happy, to be honest. I enjoyed every moment out here.
“It’s been unbelievably tough, it’s probably been one of the lowest points in myself, confidence-wise, in my career. “I’m very lucky that I’ve got the guys around me to keep pushing me and working me as hard as possible.”