A point lead and a better goal difference (+72 against +66) is all that separated the defending champion, City and their pursuer, Liverpool, 90 minutes from the end of the season. This Sunday, the Mancunians did not crack. But how difficult it was! In an Etihad Stadium in turmoil after having suffocated for a long time, Pep Guardiola’s men won an eighth league title by disgusting Aston Villa in the last quarter of an hour (3-2).
Trailing 2-0 in the 69th minute, they overturned the game in five minutes. Gündogan played the role of savior by scoring two goals (76th, 81st), just interrupted by that of Rodri (79th). Incredible image: Pep Guardiola broke down in tears at the final whistle as the fans began to invade the pitch.
This mad victory acquired buried all hope Reds side of Liverpool. There will be no fantastic quadruple for the band to Jurgen Klopp who nevertheless did the job by also winning in the snatch (3-1) against Wolverhampton. Winner of the two national cups, Liverpool will now focus on their ultimate challenge, the Champions League final next Saturday at the Stade de France against Real Madrid.
Note that Chelsea secured their third place while Arsenal finished 5th behind Tottenham. The Gunners will therefore not go to the Champions League next season. Manchester United finished 6th after a nightmarish year. Leeds, for its part, saved its skin, it was Burnley who went down to D2.