In the past few weeks we’ve yet again been witness to more twists and turns on the road to being crowned Premier League champions. The fact the contenders are fierce city rivals only adds fuel to the fire.
At the turn of the year Manchester City had marched 8 points clear of Manchester United and seemed to be cruising to their first Premier League crown. However, by the 8th of April that lead had been eliminated and replaced by United’s own 8 point gap. The change in fortune for the two Manchester clubs coincided with Paul Scholes’ return from retirement and a slump in form for the previously mercurial David Silva.
The reversal of retirement by Scholes looks to have been the start of the real mind games between the two managers, something Sir Alex is notorious for. I’m sure Mancini was as surprised as anybody to see Scholes sat on the bench when the two sides locked horns in the 3rd round of the F.A. cup.
The Reds title hopes were written off after their 6-1 trouncing at home in the first Manchester derby but Mancini attempted to keep the title talk to a minimum, at least in front of the media. The Blues boss continued to see his side steamroller all those who stood before them and he was reveling in it. At the start of the season Manchester City’s form was phenomenal, culminated in the most recent ‘Demoliton Derby’.
After a 6-1 defeat Sir Alex was left to pick up the pieces and rebuild his sides title challenge from the bottom. Any defeat in a derby is tough to take but a defeat of such magnitude on home soil must have left confidence low at Old Trafford.
The Reds were soon back in to th swing of things and maintained good performances to ensure Manchester City hadn’t run away with the league just yet. At the start of the New Year, when United are most famous for turning up the heat on opposition, City looked to b in cruise control.
The next three months were the major turning point in both Manchester clubs title challenges. United went on a run of 7 straight league defeats with Scholes running the midfield, during which City’s form stuttered and they conceded their 8 point advantage and before they knew it were trailing by 8.
Mancini admitted winning th title looked very unlikely for his side after a 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal, a game in which City looked very out of sorts. Recent weeks have shown there is still a chance for City to pip United at the post.
In 2 of their last 4 games United have lost to Wigan and drawn 4-4 at home with Everton leaving a slender lead of 3 points over City, all of this makes for a mouth watering, potentially title deciding derby on Monday.
The pressure is off City, and although no Blue will want to lose on Monday, they aren’t expected to be lifting the title like they were earlier on in the season. A formidable home record at the Etihad, stretching back to last January, should worry Fergie and his troops especially now the goals have returned with Carlos Tevez.
There is still no certainty to which ground the Premier League title will be lifted at this season but I have a feeling if City win on Monday night all the psychological advantage will be in their camp for the last 3 games.
Sam Jewell
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