The machine, the beautiful Manchester City football machine, rolled on to the brink of new glories in south London. From Wembley to the Parc des Princes to Selhurst Park, they are sweeping all before them as their season heads towards a rousing finale. This victory against Crystal Palace means they may not have to kick another ball to clinch their third Premier League title in four years.
If Manchester United lose to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, City will have won the championship with four games to spare and nobody will say they did not deserve it.