No sooner had the final whistle been blown to end Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Wolves, a familiar narrative was emerging. Apparently, watching Manchester City is boring, and there is no jeopardy in the result. John Nicholson wrote for Football365 that watching City play is soulless and boring. While he is entitled to his opinion, for Manchester City fans, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Heading into Saturday’s game against Wolves, there were nerves amongst Manchester City’s fans. For every City fan, there is a sense of trepidation before every game. Especially with Arsenal pushing Pep Guardiola’s side all the way in this season’s title race. Every result is crucial, and heading into every Manchester City game, the nerves are there. No result is a foregone conclusion. With Arsenal beating Bournemouth in the early kick-off, City had to win. Led by Erling Haaland’s four goals, the champion ran away with a comfortable 5-1 win. But pre-game the inescapable feeling of ‘typical City’ never leaves. It’s part and parcel of being a Manchester City fan.
READ MORE: The equation remains the same for Manchester City after their 5-1 win over Wolves.
But to label City’s success ‘boring’ seems a label too far. Without Manchester City and Pep Guardiola raising the standards of English football, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side doesn’t exist. Not at the level they reached during Klopp’s reign at the club. They have pushed Manchester City all the way during City’s era of dominance. The same can be said about Arsenal under Mikel Arteta during the past two seasons. Both teams have risen their level to compete with Pep Guardiola’s side. That’s what it takes to become champions. It’s the same across any sport.
This season’s title race is anything but boring. It was only several weeks ago that it was billed as the most exciting title race ever. With Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City battling it out in a three-way tussle for the title, the foundation was set for an epic conclusion to this season. Despite Liverpool’s unexpected losses to Everton and Crystal Palace, that possibility remains. It is now a battle between City and Arsenal with any hope of Liverpool winning the title now a flickering flame.
Perhaps to the neutral fan, Manchester City’s success is boring. That’s their opinion, and they’re entitled to it. But as a Manchester City fan, the build-up to every game at the business end is far from boring. The nerves and sense of trepidation that lingered before City’s game with Wolves will be there before City’s fixtures against Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham. This is the most exciting time of the season to be a supporter, and that won’t change despite how many neutral fans find it boring.
