The champagne was already on ice, but the corks were popped 24 hours ahead of schedule. Arsenal's defeat to struggling Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening meant that Manchester City secured a seventh Premier League title, without a ball being kicked.
The Blues' loyal support will stroll down to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, safe in the knowledge that the Premier League will be presented to their skipper Ilkay Gundogan after the game, no matter the result. It is a much less heart stopping end to another storied season compared with the 2021-22 campaign, when City edged out Liverpool on the final day, but it is no less of an achievement.
A fifth league title in six years, even the most optimistic Blue could surely not have hoped to see City go on to dominate English football following Sheikh Mansour's takeover in 2008. After a few years of ups and downs following the regime change, which culminated in the unforgettable 2012 last gasp title, courtesy of Sergio Aguero, City have become a well-oiled winning machine.
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Scores of fans headed to the Etihad to celebrate after the final whistle had sounded in Nottingham. Most had been expecting City to confirm their title success tomorrow, but the Gunners' slip-up led to this impromptu gathering outside the Colin Bell stand.
A banner that had been prepared in advance of Sunday's game was unfurled ahead of schedule, while flares were let off, flags were displayed and a life size cardboard cut-out of Pep Guardiola was serenaded. It is the first leg in a potential treble, an unprecedented trophy haul only achieved by their fierce rivals Manchester United, following that incredible season in 1999.
But among those gathered in east Manchester on Saturday night, there was a cool confidence that this is just the start. Winning the Premier League title has become a matter of routine for these fans, but in the next few weeks City could surpass even their own incredible achievements.
In his finest Mancunian lexicon, 44-year-old home and away City fan Stewart Seers, from Gorton, summed up the mood of the fanbase. "I'm absolutely buzzin'," he told the M.E.N.
"It's been a bit of an anti-climax in that regard, but it's been a tough week for us all with the emotions from the other night. I think we're all quite pleased it's done now, we can enjoy tomorrow, get the trophy and then move on to the other two."
Like thousands of others, Stewart has booked his flights for the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 10, spending hundreds, if not thousands of pounds following the team he loves.
But before that, there is the small matter of a Manchester derby at Wembley on June 3, where United will be desperate to stop City matching their finest moment in 1999. "I can't see it not happening, it's inevitable," season ticket holder Bret Miles, 43, from Denton, said of City's treble aspirations.
"We can shut them Reds up, going on about 1999, City will do it." Accompanying her dad to this last minute party was nine-year-old Lexi, who has only ever known success at the Etihad Stadium.
But for the older contingent, continued league titles are scarcely believable. Neil Kay, 53, from Bury, said he'd been a Blue since he was 10, and recalled one particular low point during his time supporting his team.
"I don't remember what year it was, but we were playing in the old second division, it was either against Scunthorpe or Grimsby," Neil says, having seemingly done his best to try and scrape away the memory from his mind in the intervening years.
"It was an FA Cup replay, I just remember getting so wet through." For Neil, his best moment as a Blue is still the Aguero goal in 2012.
He admits he wasn't initially a fan of moving away from Maine Road, the club's spiritual home in Moss Side, but has grown fond of the former City of Manchester stadium. "Progress, it's progress," he concedes. "It had to be done."
For all football's qualities to unite people, it can even divide families down the line. Abdul Rehman, 40, from Burnley, was in Manchester on Saturday night for a meal out with his family when news of the Arsenal result filtered through.
Quietly admitting he is a Liverpool supporter, Abdul brought along his eight-year-old son Sufiyan, who has grown up as a huge City fan. Explaining this split in allegiances, Abdul said: "My brother told him 'you have to become a City fan, so there is competition and a rivalry within the family'."
It was a new one for me, I have to admit. Abdul's other son, 13-year-old Shayan, was sat in the car with his mum as his brother celebrated. He is a Liverpool fan, like his dad.
It just goes to show how this club, who were beaten by York City in the old Division two five months before United claimed their treble in 1999, have been transformed into a worldwide, global sporting brand.
Wednesday night's demolition of European royalty Real Madrid was a defining moment, demonstrating, if anyone doubted it, that City are here to stay. Now, they have two huge finals which could create a sensational climax to an already incredible season.
But come June 3, their city neighbours will be hoping to dampen the spirits of those travelling south the capital for the first ever Manchester derby, FA Cup final.
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