Race For The Title - Sky News (blog)

Sky News May 10, 2012 8:13 PM

By Mark O'Leary

As far as sporting cliches go, "Race for the Title" is probably a phrase that has seen its fair share of outings over the past few weeks.

And as tired as those four words collected together may seem - they might also prove to be an apt analogy for this particular Premier League season - and the climax that awaits on Sunday. For a while, the twists and turns of 2011-2012 have seemed like a Formula One race - with two obvious front runners vying for the biggest prize in domestic football - four other teams desperate for a place on the podium - and those at the bottom of the table trying to make sure they will enjoy a place on the grid next season.

To stretch the motor racing cliche - Manchester United began the season in pole position (having beaten City in the Community Shield) and five wins from their first five matches saw them safely in charge at the first corner. City won five of their first six before they faced their first obstacle. The Carlos Tevez saga in their Champion League group match in Munich in September could have seen the wheels fall off City's challenge there and then. But manager Roberto Mancini stuck by his principles, and City thrived in the striker's absence.

If you look at the events of October 23rd as the race's first pit stop - then Sir Alex Ferguson's mechanics somehow contrived to loosen United's wheels so much, they shipped six goals against City at Old Trafford. That bold staement of intent was followed by City going on to win seven of their next eight matches before their first League loss, away to Chelsea, in December. United kept in touch wihtout threatening to overtake their neighbours until the New Year - when losses to Blackburn and Newcastle seemed to halt their momentum.

Then came the second pit stop. Instead of new tyres, United were suddenly galvanised by tweaking their engine - as Paul Scholes returned. Stepping straight into the fray in the heat of an FA Cup third round tie against City, Scholes showed he had lost little of his appetite for football - and in his first Premier League outing the following weekend, showed his appetite for goals had not dimmed either.

United then collected 34 points from a possible 36 over their next dozen matches. City lost at Everton and Swansea. Draws against Stoke and Sunderland suddenly saw the champions overtake them, and from that position it looked as though the outcome of the race would be formality.

In the space of three short weeks the picture changed again. City surprisingly welcomed back Carlos Tevez, who slotted back into the side and quickly proved his worth. United then veered off track again - defeat at Wigan - followed by them twice surrendering a two- goal lead at home to Everton in an enthralling 4-4 draw. If anything looked like a puncture - that was it.

So to the the final pit stop - the Etihad - where City had to beat United to regain top spot. Vincent Kompany's header decided the match, and possibly decided the title as well, as City smoothly overtook their rivals for the final laps.

The final lap is fast approaching - with City ready to claim the title for the first time since 1968. But final laps in any race can provide their fair share of surprises. To stretch the F1 analogy one last time - the rain-soaked Canadian Grand Prix of last year looked Sebastien Vettel's for the taking, until he span off on a wet corner at the most inopportune moment, allowing Jenson Button to claim the most improbable of victories.

One would not expect City to slip up at home to Queen's Park Rangers on Sunday - but as Mark Hughes' side are playing for their Premier League future the result may not be as straight forward as a City victory. And you can bet United will push Sunderland all the way at the Stadium of Light, just in case there is a chance of claiming the chequered flag for themselves.