All it took was one Manchester City win and the pressure on City’s title rivals increased. The champions had a poor run of results before the FIFA Club World Cup but returned from Saudi Arabia with an impressive 3-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park. That result coupled with Arsenal’s 2-nil defeat to West Ham overnight has put City right back in a position they know so well as the second half of the season begins this weekend.
As it stands after City’s poor run results the world champions sit 5 points behind league leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. Furthermore, they sit three points behind second-placed Arsenal with a superior goal difference and a game in hand on Mikel Arteta’s side.
If Pep Guardiola’s side has now come through their poor run of results the teams on top of them will be looking over their shoulder. Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa currently occupy the top three spots in the Premier League table. Liverpool and Arsenal are both well aware of City’s history in chasing down the leaders over the second half of a season. They have both fallen to Pep Guardiola’s side in title races in recent seasons.
This isn’t a new position for Pep Guardiola’s side. They have overhauled sizable deficits in previous seasons to claim 5 of the past 6 Premier League titles. When the pressure ramps up it usually sees the treble winners rise to the occasion. Manchester City have been here before and if they can go on a winning run it will make for an exciting run home over the coming months.
Now that the pressure increases over the second half of the season it will be fascinating to what unfolds as City attempt to create more history.
