Manchester City’s chase for history was never going to be a cakewalk. Pep Guardiola’s side had won 11 consecutive games in all competitions before Saturday’s 1-all draw with Chelsea. There was a school of thought that City would steamroll their way to a fourth consecutive Premier League title given previous season’s success. But as evidenced by Saturday’s draw at the Etihad Manchester City’s chase for history will have plenty of twists and turns along the way.
As Saturday’s game unfolded it appeared for long periods that it may not be City’s day. Chance after chance fell by the wayside as they pressed for an equaliser after Raheem Sterling’s opener. It took an 83rd-minute rocket from Rodri to ensure that City picked up a point. In truth, a draw was probably the fair result on the evening. It was clear at the final whistle that there are still plenty of twists and turns to come this season.
Despite dropping two points the champions are well placed for a run at history. They are unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions and have the opportunity against Brentford this week to close the gap at the top of the Premier League to one point. A City win over the Bees will put Pep Guardiola’s side hot on Liverpool’s heels. A position City is familiar with and has been through plenty of times before. As Pep Guardiola has said many times this season his team are there as the season heats up. It’s a position they usually thrive in and will be hoping to do so again as they chase a historic fourth consecutive Premier League crown.
But Saturday’s result showed this season won’t be a cakewalk. The expected City procession to the title will have hurdles along the way. It’s a position the champions know well and was immediately clear come the final whistle on Saturday. Manchester City will face adversity as seek to claim their place in Premier League history. How they overcome that adversity will define their 23/24 fate.
