Pep Guardiola given timely boost but Man City are a shadow of force they once were
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At least Manchester City fans have the consolation of knowing this season could have been worse. They could support Manchester United. Chants about winning the Treble and being champions again have been replaced by songs advising their biggest rivals to mind the gap. It currently stands at 12 points - with United set to face rampant Liverpool at Anfield.
Ruben Amorim has even been nicknamed Ruben Interim by the comedians in the Etihad’s South Stand. While the Blues are enduring their worst season since Roberto Mancini finished fifth 15 years ago, at least they still have a challenge for the top four and the resumption of the Champions League to keep them warm before it comes to the painful business of finally handing back the Premier League trophy.
It already appears to be a formality that they will finish above United for a 12th successive season. How they must kick themselves for somehow losing the derby last month when the crisis was raging. Erling Haaland’s double and Phil Foden’s cool finish after Vladimir Coufal’s early own goal made it two wins on the bounce for the champions.
Next up for Guardiola’s team is a club from the city that has always been a United heartland - Salford in the FA Cup. City fans will want Gary Neville and the rest of his Class of 92 mates suitably punished. But Pep Guardiola’s men remain a shadow of the force that beat the Hammers convincingly on the final day of last season to lift the title for a fourth successive year. And West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui would have no doubt rued his own team’s missed chances during the 45-minute flight back to London.
