The Top Flight
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Manchester City: Four Key Matches That Defined Their Season

By Keith Lisenbee

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrate with hes team mate Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva after scoring 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on December 27, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrate with hes team mate Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva after scoring 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on December 27, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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The Premier League has suspended play, but way before this did Manchester City lose their grip on their title. Four matches have been pivotal to their title-defending season.

At the end of the 2018-19 season, Manchester City owned English football. They had won all four domestic trophies. Pep Guardiola won the Community Shield, the Carabao Cup, the Premier League, and the FA Cup.

City also ended a historic two-year run in the league by accumulating 198 points over that time. In those two seasons, they won 64 league matches and lost only six while scoring 201 goals.

Most importantly, Pep’s men only conceded 50 goals in their last two league campaigns – combined. The question coming into this season was: Can Man City keep this amazing run going and can they be the first team to win three consecutive EPL titles since Sir Alex Ferguson?

The answer so far has been a resounding, no

Manchester City quickly fell behind a surging Liverpool club during a historic run of their own. They fell as low as fourth in the league and by the time COVID-19 suspending play they were in second place, but 25 points behind.

On a positive note, Guardiola’s side has defended two domestic trophies with wins in the Community Shield and the Carabao Cup.

Many matches and moments defined City’s season. In my previous column, I touched on their 3-1 loss at Anfield to Liverpool. On Valentine’s Day (of all days), UEFA banned the club from European competition for the next two seasons.

However, what has been most important for the defending Premier League champions’ season has been what has happened on the pitch.

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