Yes, Sunderland put up a heck of a fight but Sunday’s Capital One Cup final ended up with the League Cup trophy going into the hands of the likely victors.
Manchester City used two goals in a minute to jumpstart their season into Silverware Country, and they are hoping to increase the population as time goes on.
“I hope so, we want to win to everything,” Nasri told Sky Sports 1HD. “We are going to compete for the league, the FA Cup and we are going to try to make something happen in Champions League even if it’s going to be difficult, but I hope this cup is going to bring confidence to the team and we will fight to end.”
As we’ve said before, they’ve got the depth for a run through any competition, even though their hopes for a quadruple aren’t very high after giving Barcelona a 2-0 away goals leg-up in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Yet let’s say the Citizens can pick up a two-goal win at Camp Nou and find a way to advance. What’s on their path to four trophies?
1) League Cup: Nothing. Congratulations, Noel and Liam.
2) FA Cup: Up next in the sixth-round proper are the holders, Wigan Athletic. The Latics will have to upend Man City again… in the Etihad Stadium this time around. Presuming the favorites come out, they’ll be looking at a Final Four with either Everton or Arsenal, Hull or Sunderland, and Sheffield United or Charlton Athletic. To be frank, no club remaining has the depth of City.
3) Premier League title: City still have trips to Manchester United, Everton, Liverpool and Arsenal, while their starkest challenge at the Etihad will be Southampton. They will have to contest two more PL matches than any other club in the Top Five. It’s a stiff challenge.
4) UEFA Champions League: Let’s not mess around here. The idea of toppling Barcelona would almost be shocking if not for the obvious talent wearing sky blue. Then it’s the world’s best. Game on.
Given Sunday’s big game triumph and the draw for the sixth round, City will be favorites for the FA Cup. But the PL battle and Champions League are going to be a handful (especially given the congested schedule on the horizon). A quadruple? Unlikely, but given the Premier League today, wouldn’t a double taste just fine in a year where their neighbors in red are struggling to find form?