Man City are best placed to dominate Britain and beyond… and their quadruple dream remains very much alive

Through to the final | League Cup winners Man City have reached the FA Cup final
Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Manchester City's 22nd win in 23 games was effectively sealed after four minutes.

Gabriel Jesus' diving header met Kevin De Bruyne's unplayable cross and thoughts immediately turned to a third cup final in the space of two years.

Likewise the quadruple, which edges tantalising closer with each passing week.

Credit deserves to go to Brighton for making this FA Cup semi-final as much of a contest as it was ever likely to be – even if Pep Guardiola's history-chasing side were uncharacteristically flat.

Chris Hughton's outsiders were game, dogged and will leave Wembley with few regrets.

But an upset was never on the cards.

Photo: EPA
EPA

They rarely are when it comes to this remarkable City team, whose run since defeat to Leicester on Boxing Day has put them on course for the unthinkable.

Player Ratings

vs Brighton

Ederson: 5
Walker: 4
Otamendi: 7
Laporte: 7
Mendy: 5
Gundogan: 6
Bernardo: 6
De Bruyne: 6
Silva: 6
Sterling: 7
Jesus: 6

Substitutes
Danilo: 6
Fernandinho: 5
Stones:5

The shock defeat to Newcastle on January 29 has been the only blot on their copybook.

This is a team that ticks off wins in a manner never before seen in the Premier League era.

True they will not match their record-breaking 100-point total of last season – but their challenge for a clean sweep of trophies this term is evidence of a team that has the potential to be even better.

And that doesn't only apply to this season, but the foreseeable future.

Glance across the European landscape and it is one in flux.

No team is better poised to dominate than the one Guardiola has been allowed to construct, with the majority of his squad still to hit their peak.

Compare that to Real Madrid, who are set for a major rebuild this summer after failing to cope with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona too.

They may be the biggest threat to City's Champions League ambitions this term – but with Lionel Messi in his 30s, the Catalans are on the brink of a turning point in their history.

In Pictures | Man City vs Brighton FA Cup semi-final | 06/04/2019

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Bayern Munich look like grinding their way to another German title this season, but they too are set for an overhaul, while the feeling is Juventus have bet the farm on Ronaldo in a last bid to conquer Europe with a team that has dominated in Italy.

Closer to home, City can look at rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all in periods of turbulence.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have shown little sign of being capable of making the next step.

That leaves Liverpool as the clear and present danger – and Jurgen Klopp's team may yet pip City to the title and the Champions League.

In Pictures | Premier League Table 2018-19

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But there can be little argument that Guardiola's squad is one that remains in the ascendancy.

With or without the title – one trophy or four – their levels of consistency are incredible.

Every question asked, is answered emphatically.

In football you are judged by the trophies on the table – but Guardiola has always been one to appreciate the process, rather than solely the end result.

And that is how this City team deserves to be assessed.

The quadruple dream remains very much alive.

But the brilliance of what Guardiola has created needs to be appreciated, regardless of silverware.

De Bruyne proves class is permanent

Kevin de Bruyne admits he will not be able to return to his best before the season is out – but Belgian's game-changing qualities remain even when he's not at full capacity.

An injury-ravaged campaign has left the playmaker accepting he has little hope of replicating last season's outstanding form.

But his cross inside four minutes to gift Jesus the opener was proof that class is permanent.

When De Bruyne swings his right leg he can produce magic.

His cross was impossible to defend – almost impossible not to put into the back of the net.

With that in his locker, he could yet have a decisive impact on City's quadruple pursuit.

But Guardiola will have to decide if he has done enough to keep his place for Spurs on Tuesday.

Bernardo Silva has been one of the players of the season – and never looks as effective when pushed further wide.

Either way, it's a nice problem for Guardiola to have.

Mendy leaves Guardiola with a decision to make

Benjamin Mendy may well be playing for his future – but on this occasion, he was hoping to convince Guardiola to put faith in him for the Champions League double-header with Spurs.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters

There were signs of the Frenchman's qualities that Guardiola is so enamoured with.

His high pressing, boundless energy and pace make him a nightmare to defend against.

But his sloppiness in possession and concentration lapses can also be a liability.

He can get away with such things against a Brighton side with little genuine threat on the break. But against Spurs, one error could cost City dearly

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