Author – Amrit Santlani
Manchester City won the Premier League; it was their third title in a row and, had it not been for Liverpool’s heroics in the 2019-20 season, Pep Guardiola could have taken his team to six league titles in as many years, a dominance reminiscent of the Manchester United and Liverpool of old. Arsenal’s defeat of Nottingham Forest confirmed a fifth league title in six years for the Sky Blues, who are just “two games away from immortality”.
After confirming their Premier League title, City should celebrate their triumph in front of their home fans when they face Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
However, they still have their sights set on the triple crown, with the FA Cup final against Manchester United scheduled for June 3, before the historic Champions League final a week later against Inter Milan, when City will be aiming to win their first continental title, having come so close in recent seasons.
Arsenal pressed City all the way this season, but Mikel Arteta’s side collapsed in the second half after consecutive draws, and the defeat to Forest was the final nail in the coffin. The Gunners are expected to challenge Guardiola’s team again next year, just like Liverpool, but until then, they can bask in the glory as they stand on the brink of immortality.
“They will be talked about for years to come if they win the Triple Crown. It’s incredible, what an opportunity for them. They’re two games away from immortality” said Alan Shearer, praising the Etihad team for their dominance.
After thrashing Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, City warned Manchester United before the FA Cup final that they are a fearless team. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were undoubtedly Guardiola’s biggest challenge, but the Calatan coach pulled off an unforgettable victory.
If Real Madrid fans can point to City’s collapse in the Champions League last season, the Sky Blues gave a stern response by beating the La Liga giants.
The first and only English team to win the treble was Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United and, with their “noisy neighbors” about to repeat the glory, it’s only natural that there are comparisons between the two teams.
Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray thinks City are even better than Manchester United, triple champions from 1998-99.
“Yes, they’re better. And I say that reluctantly, because I was a United fan as a child – I admired that generation and it seems that this feat will never be repeated again“said Murray.
“But this City team is deadly. They beat people and move on. They are an emotionless winning machine. Nothing bothers them” he added.
With Guardiola on the verge of adding another Champions League title to his ever-growing CV, comparisons with the Barcelona side that dominated world soccer like few teams have done are not far away either.
“Do we consider them one of the best teams of all time? If they add the Champions League and possibly the treble, they’ll be in the debate alongside teams like Pep’s Barcelona” said Murray.
Although City remain the favorites for the triple crown, he knows he can’t take United and Inter lightly. The Red Devils beat Guardiola’s side 2-1 at the start of January and a repeat of that performance could prove a stumbling block to Man City’s hopes of a third title.
Likewise, Inter’s defense will be difficult to break down, and it will be a tough test for the likes of Erling Haaland and company, but for now, they will celebrate their Premier League triumph at the Etihad.