Manchester City has finally got their hands on the trophy after their dominant Premier League season – and a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield.
The ghost of Typical City is little more than a wispy specter at the feast these days, a purveyor of minor mischiefs rather than a harbinger of Blue catastrophe.
City had only been shut out once before in this Premier League season, in a bruising and difficult goalless draw at Crystal Palace in New Year’s Eve. They scored in their two defeats, too.
But with the gleaming trophy waiting for presentation, and the players’ kids all dressed up in sky blue, and records waiting to be broken, the old phantom had his fun.
Not that it matters – City remain champions, and the point from this game sees them move 17 points clear with two to play, still a point behind the biggest points margin in league history.
To be honest, Pep Guardiola had done brilliantly to keep his team motivated for the two games after the title victory.
But he was helped by the fact that both Swansea and West Ham virtually gave up – while Huddersfield, needing points to stay up, were determined and resourceful, led by ex-City man Aaron Mooy.
The Terriers almost pulled off a shock result against City in the Yorkshire midwinter, until one of Raheem Sterling’s more fluky goals gave City a late win.
They were enterprising and aggressive that afternoon, but this time they were well-organised and disciplined.
Time and again this season City have worn down teams with a defensive mindset, pulling and stretching them up, down and across the wide Etihad pitch and then cashing in on their tiredness.
But Huddersfield presented enough threat to make the Blues think and think again, as Alex Pritchard fluffed one chance into Ederson’s arms and then forced the keeper into a fine full-length save.
City hammered away at the determined Huddersfield defence, which looked out on its feet but clung on resolutely against a Blues team that has finally run out of ideas.
City hammered away at the determined Huddersfield defence, which looked out on its feet but clung on resolutely against a Blues team that has finally run out of ideas.
Source: BBC News
