Vincent Kompany warns Manchester City not to crumble at the top like United did in 2012
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VINCENT KOMPANY has warned his team-mates of complacency — by reminding them of Manchester United’s collapse in 2012 which handed City the title.
Pep Guardiola’s men enter the second half of their already record-breaking Premier League campaign tonight looking to move 15 POINTS clear at the top.
Yet six seasons ago, Alex Ferguson’s United led their Manchester rivals by eight points with six games to go, only to surrender that lead and miss out on the championship.
Captain Kompany, 31, is one of the few survivors from that famous season, when Sergio Aguero scored in the 94th minute on the final day against QPR to seal their first Prem crown.
And the Belgian says it serves as a reminder of how Pep’s side cannot take their eye off the ball despite their commanding position.
Ahead of the trip to Newcastle, Kompany said: “Yes, I do draw on 2012. I don’t know if everyone will remember but it was six games left and we were eight points behind.
“So that’s why I am always the first guy to come in and say, ‘No guys, we can’t really take the foot off the gas’.
“We push, we push, we push, and no one has the right to let their performance or guard down. We all have a role to say something to guard against complacency and there are a lot of experienced players in the team.
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“We do mention it but the manager will have mentioned it many times before as well.”
Even in 2014, City cut Liverpool’s seven-point lead with six matches left to seal the title.
Kompany does admit this title challenge feels completely different to the two previous Premier League triumphs at the Etihad.
The centre-half said: “It’s the first time we have been ahead like this. I do feel like we have been in much more high-pressure environments.
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“For example, when we had to play United in 2012 and we were three points behind. Those are the games that are completely different to any others you will play in your life.”
City go to Toon looking for an 18th consecutive league win, already a top-flight record.
Kompany added: “When you are on such a run, you almost want to put it aside straightaway and think about the next one.
“You know how little it takes to lose that special feeling.”