History on Manchester City’s side but don’t bet against one last twist in EPL season’s epic journey
For the first time in Premier League history, it is mathematically possible for each club’s position to change after the final round of matches. An epic day looms, writes JONATHAN NORTHCROFT.
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And so, for the first time in Premier League history, it is mathematically possible for each club’s position to change after the final round of matches. But only three binaries really matter: Leeds United or Burnley for relegation, Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal for a Champions League spot – and, of course, Manchester City or Liverpool for the title.
It has felt an epic season, thick with storylines, and the last day big reveal seems befitting a competition that cannot go a single week without some new, outlandish drama. Remember Roman Abramovich being sanctioned? That was only ten weeks ago. Sean Dyche’s sacking? That was only last month.
Watford’s manager until October? Think … you do know this. Yes. Xisco Munoz.
You need not just an expensive TV subscription but a decent notepad to follow the Premier League these days.
But will the last day be epic, and bring turnarounds – or just tease about the possibility of them happening? This is the ninth time that the Premier League title race has been still alive so late in the campaign, but no team leading that race has been overhauled on the final afternoon.
You have to go back to 1989, and Michael Thomas scoring in stoppage time at Anfield to wrest the old first division championship off Liverpool for Arsenal, to find an example of the English title lead changing hands in the ultimate round. However, that was a unique situation – when the first-placed team played the second-placed one in the last game, with the crown up for grabs.
For a parallel of what it would involve for City to lose this race – ie surrender their advantage by failing to beat a non-rival team in their final match – you have to delve through the annals to 1937-38, when Wolverhampton Wanderers blew No 1 spot by losing 1-0 away to Sunderland, who had nothing to play for. This allowed Arsenal, who thrashed Bolton Wanderers 5-0, to jump from second and claim the title on goal average. Bizarrely, instead of celebrations, the Arsenal team then travelled to the Netherlands for a friendly against Feyenoord the following day.
So there you have it. Eighty-four years. It is that long since there was a collapse like the one City would have to have, for first place to change today. Pep Guardiola has not been behaving like a man suffering any wobbles of faith. He was relaxed in his Friday press conference, and has been spreading easygoing vibes since Monday, when City’s squad was treated to a meal at an Italian restaurant by Fernandinho, who bids farewell today.
Guardiola allowed his players to drink alcohol and visit a bar, and gave them Tuesday and Wednesday off. It seems smart management. In a similar way, Sir Alex Ferguson would always look to relieve pressure before season-defining games.
In 1998-99, as Manchester United went for the Treble, he took his players clay-pigeon shooting before the FA Cup final and on the eve of the Champions League, United’s training session at the Nou Camp was “the most relaxed one we ever had”, according to Peter Schmeichel. It involved almost no tactical work and a game of Fergie’s favourite exercise, “boxes” – which even he joined in with.
City fans are drawing reassurance on this being the 10th anniversary of the “Agueerrrro!” goal, and their team scoring on 93:20 to secure their first Premier League title. That was the ultimate test of nerve and City passed. Guardiola has told his players there are likely to be moments this afternoon when the race seems in the balance but to trust in themselves. “Maybe we have to live something unexpected or uncomfortable but what can we do? React the best way and don’t give up,” he said.
The hope for Liverpool is City’s implosion against Real Madrid in the Champions League may prove to be more than a one-off, that they are the equivalent of the brilliant boxer undermined by a glass jaw.
Jurgen Klopp, with two domestic cups in the bag and the Champions League final to look forward to, knows that for Liverpool this is a marvel of a season, regardless what happens. For him, today is simply to be enjoyed.
Klopp described the present period as the “most exciting” of his management career. “I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few exciting times,” he said. “My missus asks why [do your teams] always go down to the last match day.
“It happens incredibly often and this is the most exciting one, because seeing how good the boys are and seeing the steps that we’ve made and just two games to go … it’s unbelievable.
“It feels like five minutes ago it was seven games. Now, wham, here we go, two finals. It’s the most exciting time of my career.”
But Guardiola seems equally relishing of this moment. City could win a fourth crown in five seasons, a level of Premier League dominance only ever achieved by United, at Ferguson’s peak. “It would be great,” he said. “You know when I arrived, people here said the Premier League is so difficult, it is the toughest.
“Just Sir Alex was able to win four in five years and you realise the magnitude [of that achievement]. We are close to doing it.”
Guardiola was informed by veteran journalists on the Manchester patch that much as City prevailing would pain United supporters, they would rather that than a Liverpool title. “Are you sure? Yeah? So United likes City more than Liverpool? Oh my God, I didn’t know it,” said Guardiola, dissolving in laughter. “Is it true?”
When assured it was, he quipped “so I was wrong when I say everyone wants Liverpool in this country! Yeah, welcome. Welcome [United fans] if they want to join us in the street.
“But they have to wear the blue shirt.”
The Premier League is epic, outlandish and ludicrous – but that would be a plot line too far.
– The Sunday Times
Originally published as History on Manchester City’s side but don’t bet against one last twist in EPL season’s epic journey
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