Man City 2-1 Southampton: Pep Guardiola’s side go from trophyless to possible treble
This time last year Liverpool were beating Tottenham to win the Premier League and City were 18 points behind in a season without a major trophy win.
Boss Guardiola has stated that his team won the Community Shield but that the season was a huge disappointment by his impeccable standards.
City qualified for the Champions League on the final day of the season; This proved to be the high point, as the horrors of the Club World Cup in America escalated.
Established stars such as Kevin de Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan, Jack Grealish and Ederson were allowed to leave the team in the summer, raising questions about the restructuring with the introduction of younger players.
The doubts have been further strengthened by two defeats in their first three games this season followed by a difficult start to 2026 with three straight draws, but the new blood appear to have peaked at the right time and look hungry for more silverware.
They got a taste by lifting the Carabao Cup and will be heavy favorites whether they face Chelsea or Leeds United in the FA Cup final, but regaining the Premier League could be the toughest challenge.
City moved to the top of the table with goals at Burnley on Wednesday, but after Arsenal’s win against Newcastle, they found themselves in second place and behind Arsenal once again.
Guardiola has won six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups and the FA Cup twice during his nearly decade-long reign and, as he did seven years ago, he is seeking to win them all in a single season.
The Spaniard said: “Six games; if we win we’ll be there, if we lose it’s over. People want to define that [City]How many Champions Leagues are there? How many this and that? Five Carabao Cups to define the club [wins] and playing in four consecutive FA Cup finals.
“You can always have a bad afternoon, a bad day with injuries and not be there. In the Premier League we have always been there. We are in the final again, we have time to prepare with our fans. It is easy now because it has been a tough week mentally and physically.”
Former City defender Micah Richards added to BBC One: “When Manchester City looked like they were beaten, they found it somewhere and that’s what champions do.
“I still see some weaknesses in City’s transition game, but at this point in the season it’s all about the big moments and they’re having the big moments.”
