Man City: 'The hardest one'

Following city rivals Manchester United's 2-1 defeat against Leicester, Manchester City have been crowned 2020/21 Premier League champions.

After a disappointing defeat on Saturday against Chelsea that would have seen them become champions on the pitch, the Citizens clinched the title courtesy of a much-changed United's home defeat to Brendan Rodgers' Foxes.  

It was an inevitability given City's form in 2021, but the season itself didn't start so well for the Citizens. They won only five of their first 13 league games, and by Christmas, Pep Guardiola's side were eighth in the Premier League, eight points away from leaders Liverpool. In fact, City are the first Premier League team in history to win the title after being 8th in the table on Christmas Day.

After a draw against West Brom at the Etihad, the Citizens embarked on a 15-game winning streak, the longest of any European team this season.

🏆 Longest winning streaks this season (#UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues):

15✅: 💙 MANCHESTER CITY 💙
11✅: Inter
8✅: Atletico Madrid, PSG
7✅: Barcelona, Monaco

Congratulations to @ManCity! 🏆🎉#ManCity pic.twitter.com/vzGXLPwld8

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 11, 2021

They started to improve after a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham, as it marked the start of a 28-game undefeated streak in all competitions, which put them in firm control in the Premier League by the time the run was ended by Man Utd.

Already one to remember, with the Premier League added to the Carabao Cup, this season has the potential to be even more special if City win their Champions League final against Chelsea on May 29.

Pep Guardiola: the man behind the wheel

After a dubious start, Pep Guardiola's men have been in electric form - their domination of the ball and high press unrivalled in the top flight.

The Catalunian has sculpted a team with no obvious number nine, his charges currently the second highest scoring team (120) across UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues, only behind Bayern Munich (132).

©Getty / Alexander Scheuber - UEFA

With this title, Pep has won his third Premier League crown in five seasons and his ninth in 12 seasons as a manager, after winning three titles apiece with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now Man City.

Guardiola said in a statement: "This has been a season and a Premier League title like no other. This was the hardest one. We will always remember this season for the way that we won. I am so proud to be the manager here and of this group of players."

A lot of money, yes...but well spent

Man City is always associated with the money spent on transfers, but the fact is that most of the players that have been recruited have added something to the squad.

Their last transfer, back in the summer window, was spot on and key to this Premier League title: Ruben Dias arriving for £65m from Benfica, just two days after a humiliating 5-2 defeat against Leicester at the Etihad.

©Getty / PAUL ELLIS

The 23-year-old Dias has given City the steel and consistency they had lacked since the departure of Vincent Kompany. He is the kind of defender that makes every player around him look better, and the most obvious proof is the sudden return to form of John Stones, who has also enjoyed a superb season.

City have recorded 18 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, the most in the English top flight: across Europe's 'Top 5' leagues, only Ligue 1's Lille (20 clean sheets) have recorded more.

The title may be wrapped up, but the Citizens will want to finish the season with three wins in the Premier League. However, from today onwards, their main target is crystal clear: the Champions League.