This season has been a valuable lesson for this Manchester City team | OneFootball

Manchester City remain in the Premier League title race despite their 3-3 draw with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last Monday night. Pep Guardiola’s side lost ground on Arsenal with their draw against David Moyes’ side. Heading into this weekend, City sit five points behind Mikel Arteta’s side, with a game in hand on the Gunners. City have four Premier League matches left to play, and Arsenal have three. All is not lost for City, although they now need Arsenal to drop points and likely have to win all of their remaining games to win this season’s Premier League title. No matter how City’s 2025-26 season ends, this season is a valuable learning experience for this City side. Pep Guardiola pointed that out yesterday, and his assessment is right on the money.

Pep Guardiola has pointed out that his team is still learning how to contend with the run-in and a tight title race.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked yesterday when he faced the media if this season has been a pleasing one for his team. Guardiola said it was, however he added that his team does need to live through a title race and a run-in to get better. Guardiola explained: “Absolutely. Even the guys with lots of experience can do mistakes but for Marc, Khusa, Gigio here, Antoine, it is the first time they’re in a title race.”

“The feeling we can’t lose that game and sometimes you need time to live that. Still we’re here, this season has been more than good so far. Let’s win the next game and then after see what happens, then see in the future.”

The lessons of the 2025-26 season will be of great value to this Manchester City side.

At times it is forgotten that this Manchester City side isn’t its predecessor. In years gone by, City would typically get the results they need to come out on top in a race to the Premier League title. That was a trait that Manchester City’s all-conquering side from 2017-18 to 2023-24 had in spades. However, the majority of this City side haven’t experienced a title race before. It is new territory for this group, and whatever happens from here, the experience that this City team gains will be huge for the teams development.

Against Everton on Monday night, you could see that the pressure of having to win did get to the Manchester City players, especially in the second half. Errors plagued City’s play as Marc Guehi gifted Everton an equalizer at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Mateo Kovacic made a rash challenge on the halfway line that led to Everton’s third goal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. City did well to salvage a point from that match, but the lessons of staying calm under pressure learned from that match could prove to be huge for this City side.

Manchester City could still win the Premier League title this season. The title race is far from over. As Pep Guardiola pointed out, this City side is learning what it takes to navigate the business end of the season. That experience will be huge for this team and it could set them up for what lies ahead for the future irrespective of how this season pans out for Pep Guardiola’s side.