This wasn't the domination of the Centurions, or the last-day title races that characterised the recent triumphs over Jurgen Klopp's relentless Liverpool side. For a time, it looked like Arsenal would take City all the way, and until the spring it was the Gunners who looked unstoppable.
But you can never write Pep Guardiola or this City side off. A run of 24 games unbeaten in all competitions and 11-game winning run between February and May ensured that Mikel Arteta's men couldn't cope with knowing that the Blues were coming. In the end, City wrapped up the title with three games to spare, although that fact makes this latest title win seem far easier than it was.
City had to dig deep, and according to Kyle Walker, felt that any further slip-up after an inconsistent run around January and February would spell the end of their title chances.
We've looked back over an eventful season and picked out eight defining games that showed the very best - and sometimes the worst - of Guardiola's latest champions:
CITY 6-3 MAN UNITED
City's start to the season had gone as expected. An entertaining draw at Newcastle three games in looks far more impressive considering their form over the rest of the campaign, and back-to-back hat-tricks for Erling Haaland at home to Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest were only scratching the surface on what he could achieve.
Still, recovering points from twogoal deficits against Newcastle and Palace, and only drawing 1-1 at Aston Villa put some doubts into City minds while Arsenal started the season well. When United rocked up to the Etihad, it was the start of a feeling that the 'real' City was still there.
This story is from the May 21, 2023 edition of MEN on Sunday.
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This story is from the May 21, 2023 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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