They won it in the last remaining seconds in 2012, and in the final match in 2014. At last, Manchester City's players can enjoy a serene Premier League title triumph.
And they can thank fierce rival Manchester United for that.
City clinched the title without even playing on Sunday when United, its nearest challenger, surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to last-place West Bromwich Albion.
It was City's third title in seven seasons - and fifth in its history - and easily its most convincing, with Pep Guardiola's team 16 points clear and still having five games to play this season.
Here are the key victories that carried Manchester City to the Premier League title:
SEPT. 5: MAN CITY 5 LIVERPOOL 0
After opening the campaign with three successive wins, City made a serious statement with this thrashing of a leading side. Sergio Aguero put City ahead before Liverpool had Sadio Mane sent off following a collision with goalkeeper Ederson. Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane scored two each.
SEPT. 16: WATFORD 0 MAN CITY 6
An eye-pleasing performance with City fluid and exhilarating. Aguero scored a sublime hat trick while there were further goals for Gabriel Jesus, Nicolas Otamendi and Raheem Sterling's penalty.
SEPT. 30: CHELSEA 0 MAN CITY 1
As well as demolishing some sides, Pep Guardiola's side showed it could prize open the most stubborn of opponents. A slender victory at Stamford Bridge was just such a case. City dominated but it took a spectacular strike from Kevin De Bruyne to settle the game.
NOV. 26: MAN CITY 2 SOUTHAMPTON 1
Having seen some of their rivals cut open by City in the early part of the season, teams began to adopt more defensive mindsets against the leaders. It was a difficult spell, but ultimately City still prevailed, grinding out victories over Huddersfield, Southampton and West Ham. The victory over Southampton seemed psychologically critical, secured by Sterling's goal deep into stoppage time that sparked jubilant scenes.
DEC. 10: MAN UNITED 1 MAN CITY 2
The headlines were dominated by a post-match fracas outside the dressing room as City took a decisive step towards the title by winning at Old Trafford to establish an 11-point lead at the top. David Silva and Otamendi capitalized on defensive mistakes to secure victory.
DEC. 16: MAN CITY 4 TOTTENHAM 1
De Bruyne produced an inspired display as City again showed its class. The Belgian got on the scoresheet after Ilkay Gundogan's opener. Sterling grabbed two more after Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty.
MARCH 1: ARSENAL 0 MAN CITY 3
The title race became a procession as Arsenal allowed City to coast to victory at the Emirates Stadium. Bernardo Silva, David Silva and Sane were on target as sublime City effectively got the job done inside 33 minutes.
