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Pep Guardiola running away with the Premier League is the biggest test of Jose Mourinho’s career

Manchester City manager is the man of 2017 after single-handedly changing the face of football in this country forever

PEP GUARDIOLA missed out on all the game’s major honours in his first season in English football.

Chelsea (league champ-ions), Arsenal (FA Cup winners) and Manchester United (Europa League and EFL Cup) took care of business.

 The year 2017 belongs to Pep Guardiola
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The year 2017 belongs to Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Yet, incredibly, it still goes down as Pep’s year.

He changed the face of English football, consigning the trophy- winning campaigns at Stamford Bridge, the Emirates and Old Trafford to history.

Nobody has found a way to muzzle Manchester City. What a makeover, transformed after seeing the previous year out with a New Year’s Eve defeat at Liverpool.

They could not respond that night after Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool into an early lead against one of the biggest-spending clubs in football history.

 Pep Guardiola has had the last laugh over Jose Mourinho
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Pep Guardiola has had the last laugh over Jose MourinhoCredit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
 Kevin De Bruyne has been absolutely sensational for Manchester City
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Kevin De Bruyne has been absolutely sensational for Manchester CityCredit: Reuters

Look at them now. City are unbeaten in the Premier League since April, scoring goals for fun as they close in on a third title.

The magic man Kevin De Bruyne, along with fans’ favourite David Silva and a revitalised Raheem Sterling, are the business.

Guardiola is fully acclimatised, finally getting it right at City after doubts crept in last season.

They could not last the pace in the Premier League, finishing 15 points behind champions Chelsea.

 Raheem Sterling has found the net regularly for City
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Raheem Sterling has found the net regularly for CityCredit: Reuters
 Antonio Conte burst into the Premier League with victory in his first season
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Antonio Conte burst into the Premier League with victory in his first seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

Conte made a big impression at Stamford Bridge, reorganising the side after leaving his previous position as head coach of Italy.

He made an instant impact, securing the title when supersub Michy Batshuayi got a stunning 82nd-minute winner at West Brom.

Conte, already a hit with Blues supporters, could not be contained.

He even found a way to manage bad-boy Diego Costa, keeping him on the straight and narrow until Chelsea had won a fifth Premier League title.

With Eden Hazard back to his scintillating, match-winning best under the Italian, Chelsea were the outstanding side in English football.

Newcastle 0-1 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side continue record-breaking run with Raheem Sterling scoring another winner

They were helped by the fixture list, with a season out of Europe after their shocking title defence the previous year.

Unquestionably the preparation time helped Conte achieve his title ambitions in his first season.

He has been complaining ever since, demanding more players as they try to seal another top-four finish and have a crack at the Champions League.

Chelsea fans fancied another league and Cup double to emulate Carlo Ancelotti’s achievements with Chelsea in 2010.

Instead they were humbled by Arsenal, running out of puff at Wembley when everybody was expecting them to end Arsene Wenger’s reign at the Emirates.

Midweek Roundup: Watch all the best action from the midweek Premier League fixtures

Instead Wenger’s side, who had beaten Pep’s City in a stirring FA Cup semi-final, emerged Wembley winners yet again.

Wenger has now won the FA Cup seven times and it probably saved his job. He was battered by Arsenal fans last season, with a plane flying over The Hawthorns demanding his resignation.

Wenger agonised over a contract extension, waiting until the FA Cup win before confirming another two years in North London.

Nobody expected them to make an impact in this year’s title race, way off the pace in terms of spending and squad strength.

But they limp on, targeting a top-four finish after missing out last season for the first time under Wenger’s stewardship.

Instead the chatter is all about Tottenham, spending a season at Wembley while their new home at White Hart Lane is being built.

Harry Kane loves that Spurs shirt, amassing 39 goals in a calendar year — more than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 Harry Kane was the best striker in the world for 2017
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Harry Kane was the best striker in the world for 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
 Harry Kane loves the Spurs shirt but surely the big money offers will come rolling in
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Harry Kane loves the Spurs shirt but surely the big money offers will come rolling inCredit: Getty Images

He got three at Burnley before Christmas, then claimed the record with another hat-trick in a 5-2 Boxing Day win over Southampton.

Now England need him firing at the World Cup, with those goals the golden ticket for boss Gareth Southgate when they get to Russia.

Kane, with his eyes on records for club and country, cannot wait to get going against Tunisia, Panama and Belgium.

By then the domestic stuff will be wrapped up, with City surely winning a third title to pile the pressure on poor Jose Mourinho.

It is all going wrong for the Special One after such a promising start to his career at Old Trafford.

 It is now all going wrong for Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford
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It is now all going wrong for Jose Mourinho at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Empics Sport

He is finding every excuse under the sun to explain away United’s Carabao Cup exit at Bristol City and faltering league form.

Pep’s success, along with their bedazzling brand of football, is the biggest test of Mourinho’s career.

Down the road on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp’s heavy-metal football is making a noise at Anfield.

They are banging in goals and looking forward to joining City, United, Chelsea and Tottenham in the last 16 in Europe.

Spurs have an attractive tie with Juventus and Chelsea must face mighty Barcelona.

Liverpool will fancy beating Porto, while United are favourites against Sevilla.

Basel are blocking City’s path to the quarters — and Pep must have his eyes on the biggest prize of all.

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