Champions! United loss hands Blues the Premier League title

*Defeat for United means Blues can't be caught

*Incredible run of 22 wins in 27 transformed Pep's season

*City face Chelsea in Champions League final May 29

 

 

Manchester City have been crowned 2020-21 Premier League champions, their third title success in the last four years – and as fate would have it, their rivals United handed it to them.

The Reds’ defeat to Leicester on Tuesday means City now have an unassailable lead after 35 games.

It is Guardiola’s 10th major honour since taking charge at City in 2016, and it comes just a week after they booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final at the end of the month with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-German.

In a season like no other, one which has been hugely influenced by the Coronavirus pandemic, City have shown remarkable consistency in important times, overcoming a draining fixture schedule by heavily rotating the squad to ensure every player has played a part in this success.

The resilience and togetherness of the players, as well as the innovation shown by Pep Guardiola and his backroom team, have seen them overcome every challenge they have faced and emerge as clear title winners.

Since defeat to Tottenham at the end of November, they have won 22 and drawn two of their 27 league matches, a run of form that lifted them from 11th in the table to champions of England with three matches remaining.

Their win at Palace last weekend was their 11th straight away win in the Premier League, equalling the record set by Chelsea in 2008 and City in 2017.

With Carabao Cup success already assured, City have now won 10 of their last 15 available English trophies.

It’s been a exceptional effort to secure their seventh league title – but there could yet be another thrilling chapter for City to encounter this season, with their place in this season’s Champions League final assured.

Ruben Dias’ arrival for £65m has shown to be the signing of the season with the dominant centre-back developing into a transformative force to be reckoned with, improving City’s back line and his fellow defenders beyond recognition.

John Stones and Dias have formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the defence, although, after the latter’s debut against Leeds in November at Elland Road, there was actually a moment that hinted he would make City into champions once again.

The bigger picture

Guardiola is not the type to stop and get complacent though, and will already start piecing together plans for a title defence in 2021-22. Movement is expected at the Etihad Stadium over the summer, with several transfer targets – including proven strikers such as Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

City may go down that route as club record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who fluffed his lines with a stupendous penalty miss against Chelsea but has a fifth title triumph under his belt, is about to leave the club as a free agent.