Manchester City were whisked back north on three planes on Sunday night to share their triumph with thousands of supporters at the Etihad Stadium.
They flew out of Biggin Hill, renowned for its role in the Battle of Britain, which felt apt given this titanic tussle with Liverpool. City lifted the trophy with fans at just gone 10pm, with celebrations continuing in the stadium’s premiere hospitality suite, the Tunnel Club, long after.
‘This was by far the hardest and most draining,’ Vincent Kompany said. ‘The first one (2012) happened in the last minute but this was constantly knowing you have to win and perform.