One month ago Manchester City lost to Arsenal and fell eight points behind Manchester United. Here’s how the paper’s, pundits and even Arsene Wenger wrote them off…
Now they sit within a home victory against QPR of clinching the title. They can’t possibly fail can they? Here’s how they were written off one month ago…
City fans may enjoy reading this…
Henry Winter, Telegraph: “Amid the sounds of Arsenal celebration at strengthening their grip on third could be heard a noise 200 miles away at Old Trafford, of a lady with weight issues clearing her throat.”
Matt Lawton, Mail, “If this was the end of Manchester City’s title challenge, it did not end well for Roberto Mancini. It was amid chaos and controversy, anger, misery and indiscipline. From the sight of Manchester City’s manager screaming with fury at David Pizarro for the mistake that led to Mikel Arteta’s decisive goal to his assistant David Platt burying his head in his hands, knowing full well that a dream had probably died.”
Shaun Custis, The Sun, “City are imploding in what was supposed to be a battle to the wire with Manchester United. And for reasons which no one can quite figure out, manager Roberto Mancini has allowed Balotelli to destroy their bid.”
Oliver Holt, Mirror: “No fight, no spirit, no title for feeble City. When the time came for the final judgment, Manchester City went quietly yesterday. With the title on the line, their season on the line, their pride at stake and Roberto Mancini’s job in jeopardy, they went down without a fight.”
Matt Law, Express: “What has happened to the noisy neighbours? Where have the carefree upstarts, who turned up the stereo and parked the Porsche outside the front window of next door, gone? The only people City are annoying now are themselves. Having swaggered into town, Roberto Mancini’s men have retreated into the back room, drawn the curtains and are terrified to step outside.”
Alan Hansen: “If Manchester City were managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, they’d be the ones celebrating winning the Premier League title this weekend. Give Ferguson the squad City have and put Roberto Mancini in charge of the current Manchester United side, and City would have won the title by 20 points.”
Arsene Wenger: “City have a chance still but it will be difficult. If you are eight points behind with six games to go they have to win every game. The closer you get the less likely it is that United will make mistakes.”
What did we say? We didn’t ever write City off…
Can City close it out this weekend or will Sir Alex Ferguson have the last laugh?
image: © Ben Sutherland
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
