PEP'S DESERT STORMERS

Guardiola & Co on top of the world as Blues cruise to victory over Brazilians

- SIMON MULLOCK

IT WAS not long ago that Manchester City dreamed of being the best team in town. Now they have conquered the world.

Julian Alvarez scored twice, with Phil Foden and an own goal by Fluminense defender Nino ensuring City lifted the Club World Cup for the first time in their history.

It was a ruthless performance from the Blues, although the sight of midfield lynchpin Rodri limping off in the second half will be a worry for manager Pep Guardiola on the flight home from the Middle East. Guardiola had said this was City's chance to "close the circle".

Perhaps it was fitting that when they lifted the only trophy they had not previously won, it was among the oil fields in the desert.

The black gold pumped 1,000 miles away in Abu Dhabi fuelled the City revolution in MAN CITY 55% 2008 - but it has POSSE SHOTS O 8 still taken the 2 SHOTS OF genius of a of a 498 TOTAL COR OFF FO CA 52-year-old 4 Catalan to make 3 12 the Blues the most dominant club in world football. From 100 points and a domestic quadruple to three successive titles and the Treble.