Manchester City won the Premier League for the fourth time in five seasons on Sunday, after a tense title race came to a dramatic conclusion when the champions came back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2.
After falling behind 2-0 midway through the second half at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s side was on the verge of losing the title.
However, Ilkay Gundogan ignited a remarkable City comeback, as the German midfielder reduced the deficit before Rodri equalized.
In the 81st minute, Gundogan scored City’s third goal in five minutes, sparking wild celebrations and rendering second-placed Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Wolves meaningless.
City finished with 93 points, one more than Liverpool, putting an end to Liverpool’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple.
Burnley were relegated as Leeds avoided relegation, while Tottenham qualified for the Champions League at the expense of their north London rivals Arsenal on the final day.
On a day their fans, who spilled onto the pitch in joy, will never forget, it was City who stole the show.
Guardiola’s men can rightly be called a dynasty after joining Manchester United as the only clubs in the Premier League era to have won four titles in five seasons, with Alex Ferguson’s teams doing it on three separate occasions.
The eighth league title in City’s history is Guardiola’s ninth major trophy since arriving at the club in 2016.
“It was an unbelievable game,” Gundogan said.
“It was about getting that goal and then the momentum was on our side. These are the days you look back to.”
Once again, City saved the best until last as they edged Liverpool out on the final day of the season for the second time after beating them to the finish line in 2019.
It was 10 years since Sergio Aguero’s famous last-second goal against QPR sealed City’s first title since 1968 and this jaw-dropping success was almost as unlikely.
Guardiola had called on City’s fans to be “loud, loud, loud” in their bid to retain the crown, but they were stunned into silence in the 37th minute.
Lucas Digne whipped in a cross from the left and Matty Cash got in front of Joao Cancelo to score with a bullet header.
Former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho doubled Villa’s lead with a cool finish in the 69th minute.
The shell-shocked Guardiola slumped into his seat, but City would not surrender and Ilkay Gundogan headed them back into contention in the 76th minute.
Rodri’s low strike from the edge of the area two minutes later set up a nerve-jangling finale.
And in the 81st minute, Kevin de Bruyne’s low cross reached Gundogan at the far post and the substitute tapped home to send City into ecstasy.
Having already won the FA Cup and League Cup, Liverpool can still enjoy a memorable season of their own if they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris on Saturday.
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