Though the Blues couldn’t put the icing on the cake with a win against Huddersfield Town yesterday, it was still a moment to celebrate all that had gone before in this momentous campaign.
The media acknowledged the champions’ achievements with The Telegraph’s James Ducker leading the way as he wrote: “It is a measure of just how dominant Manchester City have been this season that they had been forced to wait three weeks to get their hands on the Premier League trophy they won with five games to spare.
“But Pep Guardiola, his staff, the players and the club’s supporters celebrated yesterday’s coronation as champions as if the title had only just been secured.
“Vincent Kompany, the captain, and some of the club’s other long-serving players, including Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Fernandinho, had still to collect their winners’ medals from Premier League executive chairman, Richard Scudamore, and Shauna Miller, a 20-year-old City in the Community coach from nearby Fallowfield, when those who were already on the podium began jumping up and down in celebration.
“The celebrations became so animated they ended up knocking the Premier League trophy off its plinth as Kompany and Co watched on in amusement as the 25kg piece of silverware, complete with its golden crown, crashed to the ground. It was pretty much the only false move City have made all season.”
David McDonnell in The Mirror continued the theme: “City had a clutch of Premier League records in their sights, including most points, most goals and most wins, but Guardiola’s normally imperious side were strangely subdued and suffered a title-winning hangover for which they had no cure.
“The Blues were unable to give their fans the record-breaking victory they craved on the day they were presented with the trophy but, with two games left, the records can wait for another day – this was all about their official coronation as champions.
“There was a pitch invasion at the final whistle, despite stewards lining the perimeter of the pitch five minutes before the final whistle, but it was hard to begrudge City fans their outpouring of emotion on the day their side were recognised for their brilliance throughout a quite remarkable campaign.
“The champions were afforded a double guard of honour as they emerged from the tunnel, with Huddersfield’s players and members of City’s 1968 title-winning side – including Francis Lee, Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Stan Bowles - applauding them on to the pitch.”
Finally, this morning, our thoughts remain with Sir Alex Ferguson and his family as the former United boss remains in intensive care.
City’s long-serving coach Brian Kidd spoke poignantly about his time with the Reds and his relationship with Sir Alex in The Mirror.
It reads: ‘He’s such an iconic person, as everybody knows,’ said Kidd.
‘There was a really sombre mood yesterday evening and this morning.
’You think Sir Alex is really indestructible, we’ve all been brought up with him.
‘What he did for Manchester United was unreal and with the pressure he was under every day to produce. It’s phenomenal.
‘Obviously all of us at Manchester City, he’s in our prayers and thoughts - Cathy and the kids - we wish him a speedy and happy recovery and we hope it’s a quick one. We send all our love to him.’
That’s all for today. Media Watch returns tomorrow morning…
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