Manchester City will claim a fifth Premier League title if they win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and Manchester United are defeated at home by Liverpool on Sunday. And, just as pertinently, Guardiola placed City on the verge of a seventh English title with a regeared defence personified by the rejuvenated John Stones. Yet the moment that caused Guardiola to hit the reset button was a 1-1 draw with West Brom on December 15th. Aymeric Laporte (right) celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead during the Carabao Cup Final between Manchester City and Spurs at Wembley. And the ball was not being recycled enough – a particular oddity for any Guardiola team.

Source: The Irish Times May 01, 2021 07:00 UTC