MANCHESTER City have become 2022/23 Premier League champions.
Their loyal fans have been basking in the impressive win alongside their trusty bananas.
AFPManchester City fans hold an inflatable banana as they wait for kick off in the Premier League clash against Chelsea on May 21, 2023[/caption]
Why does Man City have bananas?
Bananas are an old Maine Road tradition among Manchester City fans becoming an iconic 1980s symbol.
According to old tales, the Man City banana story originated in 1987 during a bleak and dark season for football.
The year saw an increase in hooliganism among football fans including racial abuse of black players.
Player John Barnes, for example, was racially abused by rival fans after signing for Liverpool from Watford in that year.
Barnes was often met with racist chants and had banana skins thrown at him.
In order to bring a bit of camaraderie and light-heartedness back to the beautiful game, one City fan, Frank Newton, decided to bring along an inflatable banana to the game.
The five-foot inflatable fruit accompanied Newton for City’s game against Plymouth Argyle taking place at Maine Road.
Needless to say, it went down a treat and became synonymous with City folklore.
Why have Man City won the Premier League before the end of the season?
City won the Premier League title in the 2022/23 season with two games left to play.
This is due to Arsenal’s shocking 1-0 loss against Nottingham Forest on May 20, 2023.
The loss meant it was mathematically impossible for the North London team to stand a chance of catching City – handing them the title.
Pep Guardiola‘s side has now won this title for the fifth time in six seasons.
Could Man City win the treble?
A treble in football is when a team wins three trophies in a single season.
Man City could potentially gain the treble if they win the Champions League and the FA Cup alongside their 2022/23 Premier League win.
According to BetVictor, the likelihood of City claiming the 2022/23 Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble sits at 4/7.
This is a feat only their greatest rivals Manchester United have managed.
Bookmakers William Hill have City’s treble title success at an odds-on 8/15, putting their hopes at 65.2 per cent.
City’s manager Guardiola has spoken how his team are trying to “visualise” a treble in their future particularly after their win against Real Madrid helping them to reach the Champions League final.
The Champions League final will take place at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on June 10, 2023.
City will be taking on Italian giants Inter Milan.
The FA Cup final takes place on June 3, 2023, and will be a Manchester derby between City and United.