‘Man City divide opinion – however they’re making the title race fascinating’

Manchester City continue to divide opinion for reasons that remain obvious.

But you’ve got to give them credit for at least making the title race interesting this season. Since another club other than City last won the Premier League, the UK has had four Prime Ministers and a pandemic.

Some people would argue City have been like an epidemic in English football. Pep Guardiola’s team have won six of the last seven titles and a historic four on the spin.

The top division has become boring and predictable, despite Guardiola’s side being regarded as one of the greatest of all time. In the past, a couple of teams have threatened to dethrone the kings of the domestic game.

Arsenal, for one, while Liverpool even had the temerity to demolish the status quo in 2020 and win the title themselves. But something feels different this time round.

City are not the well-oiled machine we’ve become accustomed to. Guardiola’s men are offering those closest to them genuine hope that someone can achieve the unthinkable and replace them as champions.

City are relying on last-gasp goals from defender John Stones to get them out of trouble. Like he did in the controversial clash with 10-man Arsenal at the Etihad to salvage a draw, and again at Molineux on Sunday to secure a flattering win.

In between these two performances, City put in a lamentable one at Newcastle in a 1-1 draw. It’s quite ironic City are needing ‘Fergie time’ to spare their own blushes.

Some would argue City have still won six of eight league games this season, despite not being at their best. That the defending champions sit in the slipstream of Liverpool at the top of the table. And it’s a fair point.

But there is no disguising the fact City are also not the same team without Rodri, despite results suggesting otherwise. He is the heartbeat of the team, more important to it than Erling Haaland even, however daft this might sound.

There will never be a better chance for a rival to take advantage of City’s stumblings. All Arsenal need to do is stop getting players sent off and keep 11 men on the pitch.

Combined with the experience of trying to chase down City last season, Mikel Arteta’s men have a wonderful opportunity to finish above their rivals. While Liverpool appear unstoppable under the leadership of Arne Slot, and kicked off a tough run of games with a convincing win over Chelsea at Anfield.

Slot’s side have the mentality to go toe-to-toe with City, and can put a huge marker down by beating them when Guardiola’s men travel to Merseyside on December 1. Slot doesn’t appear to be a manager in awe of Guardiola, like some others are.

And the domestic game needs a healthy title race, perhaps, even, new champions. The last thing we need is the Premier League turning into its equivalent north of the border. This wouldn’t be good.

But the question remains, is there a team out there with the belief they can pip City to the post?

Sir Chris Hoy was already an inspiration following his remarkable achievements in cycling.

His six gold medals make him Team GB’s second most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. But the courage he has shown in revealing he has terminal cancer, takes the amount of respect we have for him to another level altogether.

Hoy, 48, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and been given between two and four years to live. He might not make his 50th birthday. Hoy took 12 months before deciding to go public with his tragic news.

Mainly because he was having to deal with his wife’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, as well as his own health battle. The couple have two young children, and to say the scenario is heartbreaking would be some understatement.

But by opening up and being so positive about how he intends to deal with it, Hoy has done the entire country a huge service. And the messages he is now sending out to the public in general could even eclipse what he achieved on the track, in terms of their impact.