Congested schedule leaves Man City frustrated with Premier League after five requests rejected

The Premier League title battle looks set to come down to the wire between City and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal -Credit:Visionhaus/Getty Images

This approach mirrored their league game with Burnley prior to the FA Cup semi-final and what the club believes aligns with an established Premier League principle that matches should be contested before cup competitions.

Nevertheless, the Premier League demanded the home game with Crystal Palace - delayed since the Carabao Cup final - occupy that window, and with Oliver Glasner's team playing the Sunday before, that game had to occur on Wednesday, May 13. This leaves City with a shorter preparation period than many would have preferred for the FA Cup final.

City had previously suggested three earlier dates to reschedule the Palace encounter, including last week when the Burnley game ultimately took place, and the Premier League had signaled that would be acceptable before subsequently reversing course.

The primary concern, however, has centered on the scheduling of the Bournemouth game. City took exception to being denied the opportunity to play on Wednesday, May 20, given that UEFA prefers to keep the schedule clear for the Europa League final, highlighting that Arsenal's postponed match from the Carabao Cup final had been moved forward to an evening featuring four Champions League games.

Furthermore, contrary to claims circulating online, City were also prepared to face Bournemouth on Thursday, May 21, should Wednesday prove unavailable. This option was not immediately dismissed, yet the Premier League ultimately settled on Tuesday, May 19, instead.

That leaves City facing three games in seven days and, more critically, two lengthy trips within four days, affording minimal preparation time between departing Wembley following the FA Cup final and arriving at the Vitality Stadium for a Premier League game that could ultimately decide who wins the title.

It has been a sensitive and complex situation, with the Premier League's task made no easier by City's advancement in both cup competitions and the strong performances of English clubs in both the Europa League and Conference League.

The Blues contend, however, that the Palace game should have been resolved long before now, given that nearly three months have elapsed since it was removed from the calendar.