MANCHESTER CITY are on course to become one of the Premier League’s least effective defending champions as Liverpool romp to the title.
The staggering 22-point gap between the two sides shows not only the Reds’ impressive form but also the surprising decline of City.
Pep Guardiola’s men were eight points better off this time last year, when they were on the eve of a 13-game win streak that snatched the title.
Their decline since the summer was summed up on Sunday as several missed chances and a red card led to a 2-0 loss at Tottenham.
Luckily for City, they are far from putting up the worst-ever title defence in the Premier League era.
That honour is held by Leicester and the whopping 49 points they finished off the pace in 2016/17, having previously stunned the footballing world with their title feat under Claudio Ranieri.
At one point, the Foxes looked on course for a relegation battle before reviving for a 12th-placed finish.
The final pre-Prem title holders, Leeds, suffered a 33-point deficit in 1992/93 as miserable away form and the exit of Eric Cantona saw the Whites drop off considerably.
Guardiola watched his side snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Tottenham StadiumCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Only one other side has put up a less convincing defence than Guardiola’s squad and that is Chelsea.
On two occasions, in 2015/16 and 2017/18, the rollercoaster club let a massive gap open up between themselves and the top – ending up 31 and 30 points behind, respectively.
Of course, there are still 13 games left to play this season and Liverpool’s charge to 73 points is predicted to fall back somewhat once the trophy is inevitably placed in their hands.
Surpassing 100 points only requires nine wins with the juicy honour of Guardiola’s league record beaten if they clock another 28 points.
Pep Guardiola doesn’t appear from dressing room for 45 minutes but claims Manchester City ‘played well’ in defeat at Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
