Man City on the cusp

THE manner in which Manchester City demolished Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek prompted Pep Guardiola to reference the pain they endured in their exit at the same stage against the same opposition last season.

The Citizens, who are on the threshold of winning their fifth league title in six seasons, could wrap up England’s most coveted football trophy with a home victory over Chelsea tomorrow.

There is every likelihood that City will triumph at the expense of a club that not so long ago dealt rather regularly with winning it themselves.

The Blues are languishing in 11th place and are 42 points behind City. That’s the gulf between these two sides, and it’s a good measure of illustrating just how efficient and ruthless the Etihad team is. With three games to go, City have a four-point cushion over Arsenal, who have played a game more.

On the evidence of their best Champions League showing yet – a night when they hammered Real 4-0 in Manchester (following the 1-1 draw in Madrid last week) – there is almost nothing to suggest that interim manager Frank Lampard can conjure up something for Chelsea and upset the light blue machine that is Manchester City.

The London club have won just one game of their last 11 across all competitions, and coming up against a side with as much momentum as City, it would be a major surprise for many if City don’t win by fewer than two goals. One of Guardiola’s teachings is to never take the pressure off, even when you are in the ascendency. Indeed, that is when you tighten the noose further.

Chelsea, who were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in the league in the first week of January, felt the full wrath of the Manchester juggernaut when they were thrashed 4-0 a week later in the FA Cup. Against Real Madrid in midweek, Bernardo Silva picked up two goals, and while he was not on the score sheet, Erling Haaland will probably not miss out tomorrow.

These lads, along with Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan, have been a joy to watch in full flight. But then again, so too have Kevin de Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and almost the rest of the squad. And that’s what makes City so dangerous – they have quality seeping through the team, and there is lots of it.

Newcastle United, who are in the throes of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign, could condemn Leicester City to the Championship Division in the Monday game. The Magpies are third in the standings, level on points (66) and games played (35) with Manchester United. And with Liverpool just one point behind but having played one more game, a win looks like a must for the Tyneside club.

Eddie Howe’s side appears to have what it takes to get past a woeful Leicester outfit, who themselves won the league title in 2016. With two matches to go, they are second-last and two points behind 17th-placed Everton. Manager Dean Smith, who took over last month, will know the magnitude of the task at hand and the battle he faces. But will he pull it off?

Arsenal’s failure to hold on to the advantage at the top of the league may well be confirmed tomorrow. But they too could play a hand in who goes down. They are away to a Nottingham Forest side that are also engaged in the relegation scrap. In 16th place, they have 34 points and, like the other stragglers, have played 36 games.

Arsenal are assured of second place and will be hoping that City, for some reason, slip up against Chelsea. But that’s unlikely, and it may yet be that Guardiola, who watched his side perform with great distinction in midweek, lifts the title for a third straight season. There are not many who bet against him inflicting pain on their adversaries.