City’s Kompany ‘hungry’ for another Prem title

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany lifted the Premier League title for the third time on Sunday then declared himself “more hungry than ever.”

City were handed the trophy and given their winners’ medals following their goalless draw against Huddersfield Town after having won the title three weeks earlier.

Many, including manager Pep Guardiola, were celebrating a first top-flight title in England, but Kompany was enjoying his third with City following successes in 2011-12 and 2013-14.

Winning a third title seemed unlikely for the Belgium international, given he made just 25 Premier League appearances across the previous two seasons because of injuries.

And Kompany had problems at the start of this season, too, but stressed he was keen to be involved in more glorious days at the Etihad Stadium in the future.

“I wanted to be a part of this very, very special team,” he told CityTV. “I’m truly so happy. I’m more hungry than ever to do well in this team and to be able to just help them, help the young guys improve, help the team be better.”

Kompany was injured for the draw against Huddersfield on Sunday, when City missed the opportunity to break Premier League records for the most wins, goals and points.

John Stones, however, made his first club appearance in two months and his first Premier League start since January.

“It was frustrating. I had a bit of bad luck,” Stones said. “The concussion coming back from England, then I got ill, so that kind of had just a knock-on effect. I came back in, was training and got injured so it wasn’t an easy time.

“I’ve got good people around me and good teammates. It was good to get back out there. I really enjoyed it.”

Stones made just a pair of substitute appearances with Barnsley, the season when Kompany won his first title with City, and now the 23-year-old is also the owner of a Premier League winners’ medal.

“It doesn’t seem real; you’re used to watching it on the TV,” Stones said. “It will sink in, I think, eventually, but I’m just going to try to enjoy it and think about the season and what everyone’s done.

“I think we’ve thoroughly deserved getting the title and how we’ve done it — the points and everything. You couldn’t see it going to anyone else. It’s a special moment for me, my family and the team. I’m overjoyed.”