Only got home about 20mins ago, still pissed and need sleep ... no bollox really required today!
Good Morning Blues, and what a good morning it is too!
I’m sure there are a few tired eyes today after yesterday’s celebrations, not least my own, but sifting through the papers is certainly having a restorative effect better than a full eight hours….
As you might expect, there is plenty of media coverage of the English Champions, so I’ve had to narrow it down to just a few.
We’ll begin with the Mirror’s David McDonnell, who has obviously been impressed with what he has seen at the Etihad this season.
He writes: “No final twists. No moments of doubt. No last-gasp dramas. Not this time.
“But nobody at The Etihad cared if it was all too easy. None of them were worried that it came without any edge.
“And, after the pitch invaders were finally cleared, as Vincent Kompany, for the second time in three seasons, lifted the Premier League trophy, revelling in the acclaim and the fireworks, nobody could deny them their moment.
"The best. Unquestionably, undoubtedly.”
I'll take that.
In the Manchester Evening News, Stuart Brennan has come up with a slightly new meaning for the old phrase, Typical City.
Brennan’s report begins: “Typical City…typical champions.
“This time they did it with no fuss, no heart-stopping moments, no extreme drama.
“They did it by dominating West Ham from the off and easing to victory, playing patient, constructive football in the face of some dogged resistance from the Hammers.
“City simply refused to allow the Hammers a sniff of an upset. They penned the visitors back, snapped into 50-50 challenges, cleaned up the loose balls and twisted the tourniquet another notch.
“And, while the “neutrals” gnash their teeth and wail about the injustice of poor old Liverpool blowing it, and Steven Gerrard’s destiny remaining unfulfilled, the truth is that the best team won it.
“In attacking terms, there is little between the Blues and Liverpool – both are exhilarating, full of surprises and score goals by the bucketload.
“But football is not all about attack, and as a more rounded, better balanced team, the Blues deserve their triumph.”
That was rather a long snippet, but I’m not sure any of you will be complaining… the full report is here.
Sticking with the MEN for a minute, they’ve also picked ten reasons why City were crowned Champions. I could have picked any to share here, but I’ll go with the first.
Says Simon Bajkowski: “We start with a simple pick - the manager. Not only has the Chilean revitalised City on the pitch with his incredible attacking approach, he has also won a host of admirers thanks to his dignified approach. Pellegrini never appears flustered even the mad-cap world of the Premier League and has come across as a true gentleman at all times.
“The defeat at Anfield (which could have proved fatal to lesser teams) only typified this, as the Blues boss waited behind to shake the hand of every Liverpool player. That sort of thing, as much as his tactical nous, has boosted the club.”
Hear, hear. A true gent.
Finally, a quick word from the Telegraph’s Henry Winter about the spirit which has been evident to Blues fans all season, but is definitely worth highlighting again (and possibly again and again).
Writes Winter: “For this was the season when City held their nerve, when trust, togetherness and belief defined the team. After losing at Anfield on April 13, City were seven points behind Liverpool (albeit with two games in hand) but never lost the faith.
“Even when then drawing against Sunderland, they stayed calm. This was a triumph for exhilarating attacking, bringing 102 goals in the league (and 156 in all competitions), and for patience and intelligence.”
Together. Champions.
A celebration parade will be held on Monday, 12 May to mark City’s double trophy success during the 2013/14 season.
Today, the Club won their second Premier League title in the last three years, and will also celebrate their Capital One Cup triumph.
There will be an open top bus tour with the team departing from Albert Square before taking a one mile route through the city centre.
Albert Square will be open to the public from 4pm on a non-ticketed, first come first served basis.
The parade bus is expected to leave from Albert Square at 6.30pm. All timings are estimates.
It will travel along the following route:
http://www.mcfc.com/~/media/Images/Home ... 0size.ashx
Pre-parade player presentation and trophy list in Albert Square: 17:00 – 18:30
Albert Square: Parade start 18:30
Peter Street: 18:50
Deansgate: 19:10
Exchange Square (END): 19.40
ROAD CLOSURES
Road closures, will take place as follows:
Albert Square, Mount Street, Princess: 11.00 – 21.30
John Dalton Street, Cross Street: 11:00 – 20.00
Peter Street: 14:00 – 20.00
Deansgate: Whitworth St West to Peter St: 15.00 – 20.00
Deansgate: Peter Street to St Mary's Gate: 15:00 – 21.30
Deansgate: St Mary’s Gate to Cateaton St: 17.30 – 21.30
People travelling in and out of the city centre during the late afternoon and evening are being advised to expect some disruption to roads and public transport services and to consider this when planning their journeys. For information about changes to public transport visit tfgm.com
PARKING SUSPENSIONS
Parking suspensions will be in operation along the route and on some streets adjacent to the route:
From 12.00
Peter St, Mount Street
From 3pm
Cateaton St , Bootle St, Lloyd St, Jacksons Row, Queen St, John Dalton, Southmill St, (Windmill St to Peter St), Lower Byrom St,
All Day
Disabled Bays on Central Street will be relocated to Kennedy St
TRAVEL
Transport for Greater Manchester is advising passengers and motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. Due to the number of spectators anticipated people should expect city centre roads and bus, train and tram services to be much busier.
DRESSING ROOM CAMERA!
http://www.mcfc.co.uk/citytv/Features/2 ... g-room-cam
Manchester City: The moment they won the Premier League title
Watch the moment Manchester City secured the 2013-14 Premier League title.
City beat West Ham United 2-0 at Etihad Stadium thanks to goals from Samir Nasri and captain Vincent Kompany.
Title rivals Liverpool beat Newcastle 2-1 at Anfield, but City's victory secured their second Premier League title in three years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27366093
Manchester City: Pellegrini's side 'deserve Premier League title'
The Manuel Pellegrini way is a simple one. He regards football as "an entertainment business" and there is nothing Manchester City supporters will find more entertaining than winning Premier League titles.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke considered the prospect of City claiming their second championship in three seasons as "pretty depressing" based on the lack of English-born players in their team.
England goalkeeper Joe Hart was the only member of the starting line-up to fit into that category in the 2-0 win over a lame West Ham United that secured the title - but Dyke's depression was conspicuous by its absence.
Thousands of City fans cavorted on the pitch after referee Martin Atkinson sounded the final whistle, Pellegrini's trademark sharp suit was soaked in champagne before he was tossed high into the air in celebration by a squad who admire this gracious, dignified Chilean.
If there were any examples of those depressed by City deservedly regaining the title, they were not to be found at The Etihad as fireworks and tickertape flew into blue skies.
Liverpool's slips against Chelsea and Crystal Palace shattered their dreams but huge credit must go to manager Brendan Rodgers and his players for coming so close. It was a gallant effort and one which ensures huge optimism for next season.
The truth remains, however, that the title is always won by the best team in the country and this season was no different. City had the best team, the best squad and are rightful champions.
Pellegrini's route to success
•A defender, Pellegrini spent his entire playing career at Universidad Chile, making more than 450 appearances.
•Retired in 1986 and took his first managerial role the following year at Palestino
•Has taken charge of 11 teams in total including Villarreal (2004-09), Real Madrid (2009-10) and Malaga.
•Won league titles in Chile, Ecuador and Argentina and the Intertoto Cup with Villarreal in 2004 before securing the Premier League title with Manchester City.
City had four players who scored more than 20 goals this season in Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and Alvaro Negredo. They had an inspirational captain in Vincent Kompany and a belief that comes with experience and maturity.
When they won the title on that memorable day against QPR in 2012, the whole experience was cloaked in a feeling of almost blind panic that was only relieved by the goal from Aguero, with virtually the last kick of the season, that gave them the title ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.
City only needed a point here but victory was achieved with a performance that combined patience with class and quality. Panic was nowhere to be seen, the conclusion was inevitable and a notoriously fatalistic fanbase had barely an anxious moment. It was in total contrast to the QPR chaos.
At the centre of this was the calming figure of 60-year-old Pellegrini, last summer's "holistic" appointment that was the antidote to the angst of Roberto Mancini's closing months, although the Italian's contribution to the City story should not be forgotten.
City were a team without doubts controlled by a manager without doubts. When Dzeko shot wildly over the bar in the first half with the scoreline goalless, Pellegrini advanced towards the touchline with his palms facing down in a "calm down" gesture.
And while Mancini's success made him a popular figure - remember, Pellegrini's arrival was not unanimously well received - the new man has won over any sceptics.
Pellegrini's popularity was everywhere at The Etihad. The familiar "This Charming Man" banner - using the famous song by The Smiths as its reference point - was on display along with "The Quiet One", pointing out his contrast to Jose Mourinho, and "Muchas Gracias Manuel".
This was a team performing in the image and likeness of its manager, focused on what needed to be done and doing it without fuss and fanfare.
Of course, and there is justification for this, there will be the usual pronouncements that the title should only be base camp for a club that has spent such huge funds. This is true but plenty of clubs have spent lavishly with nothing in return.
Pellegrini announced he would celebrate this season before talking about the next, but he is well on the way to fulfilling the demands of City's hierarchy, who wanted five trophies from his five years. The title and the Capital One Cup represent a healthy opening shot.
The question will soon come though - can City now take the next step and make the impact on the Champions League that has so far eluded them?
After failing to get out of the group stage under Mancini last season, there was an undoubted improvement before they went out in the last 16 to Barcelona this time around.
Man City's unlikely heroes
"As good as he has been, Yaya Toure is not the only reason City are champions. Players like Martin Demichelis, Edin Dzeko and Joe Hart, who were unpopular, out of favour or out of form earlier in the campaign, have emerged to make the difference."
Read more from Robbie Savage on Man City's title triumph
City will be better for that experience and winning another Premier League title will surely significantly increase reserves of confidence and self-belief.
Pellegrini has quality in all areas and his handling of keeper Hart has been a masterclass of man-management. He dropped Hart in November but carefully handled his rehabilitation and rebuilt his confidence. His magnificent save from Steven Naismith in the pivotal win at Everton was payback.
The Chilean will surely want to strengthen at left-back, where Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov have alternated, but the big money must be spent on a partner for Kompany in central defence.
It is only right to point out that Martin Demichelis, derided for so long, has been solidity itself when it mattered in the closing weeks, an outstanding ally for his captain, delivering the perfect answer to those who made the suggestion (and plenty of us made it on his dark days) that he was a Pellegrini vanity pick.
At 33, however, he is not the long-term answer and it may well be that £35m will be sent in the direction of Porto for Eliaquim Mangala.
This is for another day but Europe can surely expect a better City, a squad more comfortable in its own skin, in next season's Champions League.
For now, the first non-European manager to win the title deserves great credit, along with his players. After a long, turbulent season the Premier League has the right champions.
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[/spoiler]Manchester United have made a bid £27m for Southampton's 18-year-old left-back Luke Shaw, who is expected to be included in Roy Hodgson's England World Cup squad on Monday. Sun
Cardiff City striker Fraizer Campbell, 26, wants to leave the club after Premier League relegation and would be available for as little as £800,000 because of an escape clause in his contract. Hull City are interested. Daily Mirror
Chelsea have opened talks with Atletico Madrid in an attempt to complete the £32m signing of Spain striker Diego Costa, 24, ahead of the World Cup. DSSC
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew wants to sign midfielder Fabian Delph, 24, and striker Andreas Weimann, 22, from Aston Villa in a double deal that could cost the Magpies £15m. Daily Star
Patrice Evra, 32, could follow fellow defender Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan from Manchester United this summer. Daily Express
Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are eyeing 34-year-old Barcelona playmaker Xavi, despite the Spain international still having two years left on his contract. Daily Star
Manchester United defender Phil Jones, 22, has two weeks to prove to Roy Hodgson he will have recovered from his shoulder injury in time for the World Cup, with Everton's John Stones, 19, ready to replace him. Daily Mirror
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, 33, rejected a chance to be placed upon Roy Hodgson's list of seven standby players for the World Cup after being left out of England's squad. Daily Telegraph
Former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay and ex-Watford boss Gianfranco Zola are in the frame as relegated Norwich City plan to name a new manager within a week. DSSC
Celtic manager Neil Lennon is also high on Norwich's list to replace interim manager Neil Adams this summer, as the Canaries look to earn an instant return to the Premier League after relegation. Sun
Tottenham are considering making an approach for Napoli's former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez as they step up their hunt for a new manager. Chairman Daniel Levy is expected to formally announce the departure of Tim Sherwood in the coming days. Metro
Brighton manager Oscar Garcia has offered his resignation after his side's Championship play-off semi-final defeat by Derby. Guardian
Manchester United interim boss Ryan Giggs is confident striker Danny Welbeck will not leave Old Trafford in the summer, despite the 23-year-old attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. Daily Express
Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave his acceptance speech in French after winning the Ligue 1 player of the year award for the second year in a row. Though the Swede is fluent in five languages, his team-mates' laughter showed French is not yet one of them. Yahoo
