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Field invasions increase after pandemic suppression. The loudest of them all was recorded at the Etihad this Sunday, where Manchester City fans rushed out to hug and kiss the players and pick up souvenirs from the sacred field that just witnessed the most famous comeback. After a 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa that was marred by agony, the team from the north of the city came back 3-2 to capture the sixth Premier in their history. It was Pep Guardiola’s fourth English league title, who left the dressing room in tears after a day of suspense, his nerves frayed, Liverpool hot on his heels until the last minute. The happiness blast overwhelmed security in a human avalanche that swept through the gates, devastated by fans who had just endured an afternoon of fear. For half an hour the title seemed to slip out of their hands in a game that gripped players, victims of Villa’s pressure and skill.
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Ederson Moraes, John Stones, Fernandinho (Zinchenko, min 45), Cancelo, Laporte, Bernardo Silva (Gündogan, min 67), Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez (Sterling, min 55) and Gabriel Jesus
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Robin Olsen, Digne, Tyrone Mings, Matthew Cash, Chambers, McGinn, Jacob Ramsey (Ings, min. 82), Coutinho (Marvelous Nakamba, min. 71), Douglas Luiz, Emi Buendía (Ashley Young, min. 87) and Ollie Watkins
Gates 0-1 min 36: Matthew Cash. 0-2 mins. 68: Coutinho. 1-2 minutes 75: Gundogan. 2-2 mins. 77: Rodrigo. 3-2 mins. 80: Gundogan.
referee MichaelOliver
Yellow cards Tyrone Mings (min. 48) and Marvelous Nakamba (min. 86)
Guardiola’s collection surpassed that of Mourinho and Wenger by a cup. The Catalan became the foreign coach who won the most Premiership titles in history. Now he is only surpassed by Alex Ferguson at 13. But his statistical performance would have little value without the splendor and innovation of the game displayed by his team, the work of an indelible personal stamp. It is not possible to understand English football today without the influence of this manager, who tirelessly pursues his experimental vocation, even if it sometimes gets him into trouble.
Guardiola’s love of midfielders has produced great moments, as has boxing for Manchester City against opponents who know how to back down. At the end of the world, the choice of Mahrez and De Bruyne over Sterling and Gundogan was sentimental. City won on aesthetic presence but lost circulation speed because Mahrez insisted on demanding the ball on foot to pile up opponents without overpowering them, and De Bruyne wandered the pitch with a rueful air, waiting for someone to hand him gave a ball to show his career straight line and her beautiful goal. Between one and the other, they detracted from the dynamism of City’s game, which, without giving up the margin of excellence, lost the sharpness necessary to wear down the block of Douglas Luiz, Mings and Chambers at the heart of the visiting defense.
Guardiola: “Gundogan is the best”
Minute 36 passed and City continued the harassment and increased the average number of centers per minute. Villa goalkeeper Robert Olsen was only threatened by the selection of the troubled Gabriel Jesús as his team-mates prepared a quiet exit from his box. Released by thoughtful pressure from De Bruyne, Douglas Luiz linked up with striker Watkins, who went down to receive an easy attack and put together by starting against Digne, his left back. The cross went to a well-timed header from right-back Cash, who surprised Cancelo with a long and predicted run. The goal silenced the crowd and was celebrated 50km west at Anfield with a burst of joy that was louder at Villa’s goal than Mané’s celebration of the 1-1 draw. Because in Liverpool, where Wolverhampton struck the first blow, another comeback was on the horizon.
Cash’s goal put City in the Corridor of Torture. As the fans watched in fear, Guardiola’s side suddenly needed to score twice to secure the league against an eventual win for Liverpool. It happened almost at the beginning of the second half when the VAR annulled Mané’s 2-1. The incident coincided with the dramatic knot of the day. Those moments of crisis when City stumbled and let Villa surprise them again. A Watkins goal kick on Rodri allowed Coutinho to leave Laporte with great control to make it 2-0. Guardiola responded to the challenge with changes that ultimately proved crucial. He had already removed the aging Fernandinho from central defense to use Stones and now brought in Sterling and Gundogan. It was the Turk who attacked the space, heading Sterling’s center for the first local goal. The 2-2 was the work of Rodri, with a shot from the edge of the box, and again Gündogan hammered the 3-2 in the 81st minute with another uncheck at the far post, worthy of the best false nine. Guardiola and the players celebrated with the fury of a wing. Convinced that the victory was theirs.
Liverpool’s revolt, starting to lose and eventually winning 3-1 with a brace from Salah, only served to scare the Manchester crowd. As the judge signaled the end, the Premier crowned England’s most refined and consistent team of the decade.
“These are not normal circumstances,” said Guardiola, when asked about his dressing-room lead at half-time; “I told the players that if we score, we come into play. Gündogan can best coordinate the move into space in the fourth quarter. That was a very important contribution.”
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