After so many twists and turns, Manchester City finally did it, becoming the first team since their rivals United in 2009 to defend the Premier League title. It was the best race ever, though, and they were pushed all the way by Liverpool, who finished second on 97 points. Pep Guardiola’s men had to win 14 games in a row, the last of which was against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
To do that shows the strength in depth of the City side, who lost at Newcastle in their only slip up of 2019, and also the amazing relentlessness of Guardiola and his players. The Reds deserve huge credit, winning 10 on the bounce to reach the third highest points total in Premier League history. Only City’s two title wins, amassing a staggering 198 points between them, bettered their number, meaning in all but two seasons, Liverpool would have celebrated a league win.
In the end, though, it was simple for City, despite going a goal down against Brighton to a Glenn Murray header. They stormed back to win 4-1 with goals from Sergio Agüero, Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gündogan. Raheem Sterling stole the show with his amazing tweet of the title celebrations, referencing a scene from the popular video game Grand Theft Auto.
Sterling, a former Liverpool player, will feel vindicated of his move in 2015 if he wasn’t already. He stoked the fire in the title race a few weeks ago, jokingly suggesting nobody wanted the title to go to Anfield this season.
But he must concentrate on the FA Cup final now, with City looking to complete a domestic treble against Watford at Wembley on Saturday, having already clinched the Carabao Cup.
All is not lost for Liverpool though, they head to Madrid in three weeks time to compete for the Champions League in an all English final, against Tottenham, meaning Jürgen Klopp could lead his side to the successful end of season they deserve.
