Courtesy of a thunderous long-range strike from way outside the box, Vincent Kompany moved Manchester City to the brink of retaining the English Premier League title (“Reds hope for Man. City slip-up post Magpies win,” May 6, Gulf Today).

A win at Brighton on Sunday, regardless of Liverpool winning their last match at home against the Wolves, will make Pep Guardiola’s men the first side in a decade to do so. However, City players would be reckless to let complacency get the better of them as Brighton, though in a lowly 17th position on the EPL table, cannot be taken lightly.

Arsenal, who were looking to make the Champions League cut for next season, were taught a lesson — held to a draw by the Chris Hughton-coached side — that too at the Emirates Stadium, their own backyard. So the title is not yet in the bag and City will have to maintain their focus, for as their coach put it, nothing is won yet.

Despite Liverpool being under pressure to throw the monkey in the form of the 29-year-wait off their back in search of the title, Guardiola claimed it was his side that have had to play under pressure. How admirably the champion side handled it.

They won 13 straight league games to overhaul a seven-point deficit at the top of the table in January. That’s the hallmark of true champions, of handling pressure and fighting all the way to achieve glory.

I’ll be rooting for my team and here’s wishing them all the best against Brighton on Sunday.

M Dias

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