One week has seemingly changed everything for Manchester City

Entering the final ten minutes at Anfield last Sunday, Manchester City were staring at a nine-point deficit to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. City were 1-0 down to Liverpool and needed to somehow conjure up a victory over Arne Slot’s side. Pep Guardiola’s side did that as they beat the current Premier League champions 2-1. City followed that win with a routine 3-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad. Meanwhile, Arsenal drew 1-1 with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday night, a result which sees City sit four points behind league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table. This week has seemingly changed everything for Manchester City, who now have real momentum behind them and an important period of rest ahead of them.

This past week may have swung momentum in the title race Manchester City’s way.

Perhaps the win that Manchester City had over Liverpool last Sunday will be looked back upon as a key moment in the 25/26 season. City won at a venue where they traditionally struggle, and the manner of Manchester City’s victory and how it came about could prove to be invaluable. I believe that in the long-term development of this City team, that win will prove to be crucial. In the short-term, it could become the moment when Pep Guardiola’s side clicked into gear. Only at the end of this season will that particular answer be known.

In terms of this season’s title race, this week has changed everything for Manchester City. They picked up six points, and the manner of their victory against Liverpool, and how they dispatched Fulham in the first half at the Etihad on Wednesday night, was reminiscent of past title-winning City sides. There does seem to be real momentum building for Pep Guardiola’s side. Arsenal’s draw with Brentford seemed to only confirm this. There are 12 matches remaining in this Premier League season. Anything can still happen.

We have seen previous City sides surge at this point of their successful seasons. The challenge is ahead of this City side to follow in their footsteps. They seemingly have real momentum now, and it will be fascinating to see what unfolds in the title race from next weekend onwards.

An upcoming period of rest should see this City side primed for what lies ahead.

Manchester City take on Salford City today at the Etihad Stadium in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Following today’s match, City have a rare week off. They take on Newcastle United at the Etihad next Saturday in a crucial Premier League fixture. Pep Guardiola’s side should be well-rested for that match. A period of rest should do City the world of good. Players who are suffering from fatigue will get the opportunity to rest. Players such as Savinho and Jeremy Doku could be closer to returning from injury by that stage. The benefit of a week’s rest for this City squad cannot be underestimated. It is needed and is also a chance for Pep Guardiola’s squad to take a break before the pressure of the 25/26 season goes up a gear.

This week has seemingly changed everything for Manchester City. There was a real risk at Anfield that City would end up nine points behind Arsenal. But they got out of that predicament. Now they are now only four points behind Mikel Arteta’s side. Pep Guardiola said yesterday that he’d prefer his team to be in Arsenal’s position in the title race. That would be Manchester City’s preferred position. But they now have real momentum behind them and anything is now possible in the 25/26 season for Pep Guardiola’s side.