Manchester City won the Premier League title by a point over Liverpool on the season’s last day, after Pep Guardiola’s team survived a massive scare on Sunday.
City had to come back from a 2-0 deficit against Aston Villa in the second half, but three goals in five minutes, two of which came from substitute Ilkay Gundogan, ignited the party, with fans flooding onto the field at the Etihad Stadium at the final whistle.
City have now won four of the previous five Premier League titles, putting an end to Liverpool’s dreams of a historic quadruple.
“Four Premier Leagues, these guys are legends already, people have to admit it. This group of players are absolutely eternal in this club because what we achieved is so difficult to do,” Guardiola said.
Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris next week, struggled to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, but late goals from Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson secured them a 3-1 victory.
Juergen Klopp’s side never topped the ‘live table’ during the afternoon of drama, but until City’s comeback, the title was tantalisingly close.
But by the time Liverpool took control of the game, City had rallied back and blown away any fears of a final-day collapse in five minutes.
After a Raheem Sterling cross was headed in by German Gundogan, Spanish midfielder Rodri drove into the bottom corner. Gundogan sealed the comeback by tapping in a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne at the back post.
At the final whistle, City fans flooded onto the field, showing no signs of the novelty of being England’s champions wearing off.
“The last game is always special, a lot of emotion. Aston Villa gave everything but the first goal changed everything. We had to handle it,” said Guardiola whose fourth triumph at City makes him the most successful foreign manager in terms of English league titles.
“When you win the Premier League in this country four times in five seasons it is because these guys are so, so special. We will be remembered.
“Winning at home in front of our people is the best. The moment we equalised we had the feeling we had the chance to score the third,” he added.
