The reigning champions, looking for a fourth title in a row, kicked off one point behind Arsenal with a game in hand; they might end the day instead wondering if perhaps they could cruise to both trophies in second gear.
It is usual to suggest after title candidates pick up three points in this manner, where they dominate entirely and their hosts barely raise a hand in protest, that they will have more difficult tests ahead. Yet this time, will that really be true?
City have two league fixtures left to play and an FA Cup final. In order, they play a woefully out-of-form Tottenham who suffered four straight defeats prior to yesterday’s win over Burnley, then are home to West Ham on the final day, the Hammers without a win in six before beating Luton yesterday and having confirmed the impending departure of manager David Moyes. There’s not a whole lot of reasons to suggest they have much to play for.
And at Wembley, sure: it’s Manchester United so it’s a rivalry, a derby and a final for goodness sake, a trophy to play for. But United are truly terrible, have defensive absences to contend with and their only two wins in the last eight have come against rock-bottom Sheffield United and Championship side Coventry, the latter on penalties.
Not that Pep Guardiola will encourage such suggestions, but Man City could easily stroll from here on out and there’s nothing at all that Arsenal, in particular, can do about it.
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