BY: Michelle Liew
Nothing beats a dramatic win when it comes to the English Premier League title.
Manchester City had bounced back to defeat Aston Villa 3-2 to secure the title on Sunday. The final day of the season was a day to remember as it guaranteed the title and despite going down 2-0, the Sky Blues managed to score three goals within five minutes in the second half, sending the crowd in the Etihad Stadium into delirium.
In seconds, fans of the host had their heads up from their heads to celebrate the victory at the pitch, with decibels of the stadium going higher each second as the club’s anthem, Blue Moon, filled everyone’s ears.
While goals from Matty Cash and Anfield’s favourite son Philippe Coutinho seemed to secure Aston Villa’s grasp on the match, two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and one from Rodri broke the hold and City secured its fourth league title in five years.
Ten years after the unforgettable moment Sergio Aguero opened the floodgates to a decade of success at Queen’s Park Ranger’s, City once again scores its last-gasp goal to hold off Liverpool’s challenge to clear the final hurdle of the thrilling race.
“We are legends,” Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports after the triumphant match. “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.”
City’s Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko was in tears as he wrapped the trophy in his country’s flag, paying tribute to those suffering through the war.
With confidence sweeping the air of the North and tunes of Oasis nearly lifting the roof off the Etihad, the match started off with fans making their way to the pitch in moods for lifting its reigning title.
However, when Cash and Coutinho threatened to take the glory to the Merseyside, putting Liverpool in their dreamland of victory, backs started to peel off from their seats in what became a nail-biting second half.
Nevertheless, City managed to secure a theatrical finish to take the title away from Klopp’s men in unexpected circumstances.
“It was an unbelievable game. It was fantastic,” Gundogan tells Sky Sports.
“Honestly, after going 2-0 down, the chances were very small. We had to do simple things again in the best possible way. It was more of a negative one than a positive one. It was about getting that goal and we knew it would be one our side to be able to score three goals. We’re fans at the end of the day. These are days that you look back too.
“If Liverpool would not be there and play the way they do, I don’t think the league could be that attractive. They played an incredible season and we pushed each other to the limit.
“Even though it’s a sad day for them, we need to appreciate what they’ve done. We’re looking forward to competing with them against next season.”
A thrilling title race got a fitting conclusion and City are champions once again.
