Boss Pep Guardiola rubbishes suggestions of Man City’s financial muscle being the reason for their dominance as club close in on their sixth EPL title in seven seasons; face West Ham today
Pep Guardiola. Pic/Getty Images
Manchester City stand on the brink of a historic fourth successive Premier League title, but Arsenal lie in wait hoping for a last-gasp slip from the leaders on Sunday.
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Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering team go into the final day of the season with a two-point lead over second-placed Arsenal thanks to an eight-game winning streak.
City are hot favourites
City, who host West Ham knowing a win will seal the title, are hot favourites to set a new standard for dominance in English football. Arsenal, at home to Everton in their final game, have been near flawless themselves in 2024, with 15 wins and one draw, away to City, in 17 league matches. However, the Gunners’ costly 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa last month looks set to be decisive in a thrilling title race that also involved Liverpool until their recent stumbles.
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Not for the first time, City have been at their relentless best in the intense heat of the run-in.
Guardiola’s men have dropped just six points since mid-December, in draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. As City close in on a sixth title in seven seasons under Guardiola, the competitiveness of the world’s most-watched league has been questioned.
But the Catalan coach has hit back at suggestions the Premier League has become boring and that City’s dominance is thanks purely to the financial muscle of their Abu Dhabi-based owners.
“It’s not boring, it’s difficult,” Guardiola said, adding that based on spending levels, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal should be matching City. “They spent as much money in the last five years as us. They should be there. They are not there.”
Phil is EPL player of season
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Season. Saturday’s announcement meant the England midfielder completed an awards double after being voted Footballer of the Year by the English Football Writers’ Association earlier this month.
Foden has scored a career-best 17 Premier League goals so far this season ahead of champions City’s final league game of the campaign. “To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of. EPL is acknowledged as the greatest league in the world, and it is a pleasure to have been nominated with so many other great players,” said Foden.
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