The best team in Europe on current form in Manchester City are in danger of missing out on the Premier League title, according to Joe Cole.
Pep Guardiola’s side completed a domestic cup double on Saturday thanks to a 1-0 win over Chelsea thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s brilliant second-half strike.
A season that looked in danger of petering out around Christmas time will now end with at least two trophies in the cabinet following City’s Carabao Cup victory against Arsenal back in March.
City will head to Bournemouth on Tuesday hoping for a win that would take the title race to the final day and pile the pressure on the Gunners who face a tricky game at Crystal Palace.
Regardless of who comes out on top, Cole believes City are finishing the campaign the stronger and will only end up as runners-up because they have left their charge to the line too late.
‘You can have talent but you’ve got to have the mentality and the mindset and that’s got to be driven within the culture of the club,’ he said.
‘During the dark times we saw Pep last year scratching his head on the side of the pitch because he knew it wasn’t working. I knew then that would motivate him and he’s found a solution.
‘The only reason they won’t win the league this year is they will run out of road. That old saying you don’t get beat you just run out of time.
‘They are at the moment you can’t argue they are the best side in Europe in terms of form. Chelsea were at it today and they were just fending them off.
‘Manchester City are a top side and top sides win trophies.’
Former City goalkeeper Joe Hart, meanwhile, sent an ominous warning to Arsenal and suggested City may feel there is still one late twist in what has been a rollercoaster campaign.
IHe said: ‘It was on a knife-edge and look if they don’t win those two finals it goes without saying it would’ve been a difficult moment, but they have.
‘They’re the facts, they’re walking round the pitch with medals round their necks. James Trafford has been bought in and only used in the cups but there he is celebrating now.
‘The big moments they’ve stepped up and won. They are still going to be pushing I promise you, they’re not giving up on the Premier League. There’s still big, big moments and they will keep going.’