Three Things We Learnt from Manchester City Beating Leicester

Beating Leicester at the Etihad Stadium on Monday left the Manchester City fans elated.

There was a collective outpouring of emotion amongst the Manchester City fans at the final whistle. The emotional release that came with the three points secured on the back of the Vincent Kompany Goal of the Season contender. That experience left us all a little exhausted so it has taken a couple of days to sit and watch the whole match back again.

On second viewing Man City Square have identified three things we have identified from the game.

Great Players Can Win Games

It seems like a daft cliche as I write but the best players have the capacity to influence the most high pressured games. What sets them apart is their willingness to step up and take the responsibility. It is courage which can define great players.

Other players can be stifled in the spotlight. The weight of expectation can weigh heavy upon their shoulders, depressing their ability and strangling their performance.

At City we have been lucky to have been blessed with a series of players in recent seasons who have the ability to change games under pressure. These great players like Aguero, Silva and of course Kompany are entering the twilight of their careers, but with that comes experience. These players know what is required, how to do it and of course – have done it before.

Against Leicester, just as we began to run out of ideas our Captain took a stride forward and unleashed the kind of shot we all dream about. Rising into the “postage stamp” of the goal, it was absolutely unstoppable.

Our leader has experience of scoring many important goals before – and we all forget he was signed as and initially played for us as a defensive midfielder. We salute our Captain.

The players want it as much as we do

Whilst those of us present in the crowd at the Etihad shared that celebration and felt the joy amongst the fans, what was also clear was exactly what it means to the players too. At the final whistle there were hugs and embraces, beaming smiles and even tears.

Whilst some of this could be considered a natural release after an exhausting game, there was clearly much going on. This was a team displaying a singular vision and togetherness. Not just with the 11 players on the pitch but what was noticeable was the reactions of those substitutes and even the players who are outside of the matchday squad.

It is easy to dismiss the efforts of the players – to think of the money which they earn, but what we were seeing on the pitch was not joy about potential win bonuses.

Retaining the Premier League Title means the world to this group of players who started the campaign back in August. This is the task which has not been achieved by any side in the last 10 seasons. So the prospect of retaining the title – in the face of an almighty battle with the challengers – after the record breaking season last year would really cement this Manchester City team amongst the best sides to have ever graced the Premier League.

It is this which is etched on the faces of the players. Let us hope that on Sunday we can all realise the dream!

195 points in 2 seasons is mind boggling

It is amazing to think that our beloved Manchester City under Pep Guardiola have achieved a level of consistency never before seen in the Premier League. We currently sit at 195 points over the last 2 seasons with a game still left to play!

Although it seems like sacrilege to mention it here – but looking back at the Manchester United treble winning team of 1998/99 they won the Premier League by notching up a total of 79 points. That is over 20 points behind our tally from last season!

If we do manage to secure the win we crave on Sunday to retain the Premier League Trophy that will leave us on 198 points for two seasons which is stunning. The way in which Pep Guardiola’s team will have dominated the Premier League in two seasons may never be repeated.

Other than by Guardiola and Manchester City next season we hope!