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It’s been nailed on for months now that Manchester City were destined to become Premier League winners for the third time since 2012.
Their dominance of the league, with 28 wins and just two defeats bear that out, but the circumstances in which they have been handed the title were surprising. A loss to City in the Manchester derby last week would have seen United concede the league in the worst fashion possible, but the Red Devils rallied from two goals down to win 3-2.
With football being football, Jose Mourinho’s men instead lost to bottom of the table West Brom at Old Trafford to lose the one-sided league race, to a team who were without a win since January.
This unlikely scenario caused much amusement for some.
Fair play to City for throwing away the Derby because it’s made for a far funnier way of them winning the league.
— Sunday League Hipster (@HipsterManager) April 15, 2018
I don’t think I can think of a funnier scenario than United delaying City’s title party by coming back from 2-0 down in a half to then seal the title for City anyway by losing to an absolutely useless West Brom without a full time manager
— Peter Drury fan (@alexb__96) April 15, 2018
Beating City then losing to West Brom to crown City champions is Spurs levels of Banter
— Manolo (@xM20x) April 15, 2018
The poor performance of United was lambasted in some quarters, though Oliver Kay of The Times was keen to acknowledge how well the Baggies acquitted themselves during the game.
Say what you want about Mourinho. And there is plenty to say. Every single player out there today has been a fucking embarrassment.
— United Religion (@Unitedology) April 15, 2018
You stage an impressive comeback against Manchester City and then lose, at home, to 20th-placed West Brom. Inconsistency of the highest order. Tactics are ridiculous. A big, ugly mess.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 15, 2018
Martial can't cross, head, no vision, poor passing, often makes bad decisions, average work rate, no desire, doesn't make intelligent runs, cant play CF, can't play wide right (takes away his finish), … https://t.co/3RQQpluaDD
— Giggs-boson (@giggs_boson) April 15, 2018
Apart from the FA Cup tie at Anfield, that was comfortably the best West Brom performance I've seen in at least 18 months. They actually looked like footballers again. Yes #MUFC were abject — really really abject — but #WBA looked far better than the table suggests
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) April 15, 2018
Of course, the City players themselves were ecstatic, including full back Kyle Walker, who joined from Spurs last summer.
WE ARE F****** CHAMPIONS @ManCity congratulations boys !!!!!! ????????????
— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) April 15, 2018
Champions!!!!!! What a great feeling!! So happy to be able to share another trophy with our amazing fans!#ManCity #SharkTeam #Champions pic.twitter.com/8CqCtyX7vi
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) April 15, 2018
Me on my way to @benmendy23’s house to pick him up for the party pic.twitter.com/plDTwrsSKv
— Kyle Walker (@kylewalker2) April 15, 2018
Me waiting on the front door ???? ??? pic.twitter.com/70ZscW4bsi
— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) April 15, 2018
Other players, analysts and broadcasters congratulated the champions, with varying degrees of joy and despair.
23 titles and counting… after nine years as a manager. In three different countries. And some still doubt. Congratulations @ManCity and @PepTeam!!
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) April 15, 2018
?? @ManCity @premierleague ? champions. Brilliant football, class from back to front, consistency and an innovative, inspiring manager. #mcfc ??
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 15, 2018
City. Ffs. But hats off to #Guardiola. 7 league titles in 9 seasons in 3 countries ? pic.twitter.com/Py8V1zFcC9
— Kate Abdo (@kate_abdo) April 15, 2018
Congratulations man city . You really were a shark team this season ?
— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) April 15, 2018
Something to cheer me up!! ? https://t.co/HYtUgWi3ev
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 15, 2018
Nemanja Vidic: "It is difficult to speak about Manchester City for me but what Pep Guardiola has done with Manchester City is amazing; to win the title with the football he plays is great, it’s good for the Premier League as well." pic.twitter.com/QBWv4JMVYM
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) April 15, 2018
Congratulations to Man City for winning the Premier League they are one of the best ever sides to have done that!!
— Peter Shilton (@Peter_Shilton) April 15, 2018
Congratulations to Manchester City on their Premier League title win.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2018
