City pass Quadruple milestone – Betfred Blog

Quadruple-chasing Manchester City passed another milestone at the weekend – they are now closer to that piece of sporting immortality than they have ever been before.

Manuel Pellegrini’s 2013/14 team were still in the hunt for four trophies when they exited the FA Cup on March 9, losing to Wigan.

But other clubs have got closer to a feat which would eclipse Manchester United’s 1998/99 Treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

A decade later, United themselves reached April 19 2009 with their hopes of landing all four trophies very much intact.

That day that they faced Everton in the FA Cup semis – and it all went wrong.

Ref Mike Riley didn’t help, denying United what looked a clear-cut penalty before Everton won 4-2 on penalties.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team selection was arguably more to blame though – perhaps a lesson from which Pep Guardiola can learn. He left out Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar and paid a heavy price.

While United got close, it is Chelsea who have taken the Quad fight the furthest.

In 2006/07, they actually made it into May with their hopes still alive, albeit by then they were beginning to fade.

Having already won the League Cup, Jose Mourinho’s men trailed United in the title race by just three points on April 18. However, they would draw their last five games to finish six back.

It was the Champions League in which the nail in the coffin was hit though – the Blues losing 4-1 on penalties to Liverpool.

They would finish with ‘only’ the FA Cup and League Cup after a gruelling 63-game season – City will play the same number if they do achieve English football’s ultimate feat.

They are currently favourites to win the three remaining competitions they require – 4/11 for the Premier League, 5/6 for the FA Cup and 5/2 for the Champions League.

Odds subject to change.