Pep Guardiola’s team saved a point ahead of Liverpool across the finish line. The “Reds” also landed a 3-1 home win against Wolverhampton after falling behind.
Match winner for City was substitute German Ilkay Gündogan with two goals (76th, 81st). In between, the Spaniard Rodri had also scored (78th). Back in 2012, at the first championship title after a dry spell of more than 40 years, City had celebrated a dramatic 3-2 home win in the last round, when Sergio Aguero scored a decisive goal in added time against Queens Park Rangers – and thus became a club legend. As England’s fifth most successful club, City now hold eight league titles.
For Liverpool, however, the chance of the historic quadruple is gone. After winning the FA Cup and Liga Cup, coach Jürgen Klopp’s team can still crown their season with the Champions League. There it is on Saturday in the final in Paris against Real Madrid with David Alaba. But it didn’t take much to catch up with Manchester United (20 titles) as record champions.
The long-distance duel was rich in drama. Liverpool fell from just 130 seconds down, knowing that only a win would keep their title hopes alive. Ibrahima Konate missed a long drive and Pedro Neto said thank you. The ailing stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were initially only on the bench for the “Reds” – possibly also with a view to the Champions League final on Saturday – midfielder Fabinho was not in the squad at all.
Wolverhampton was a fire hazard several times, but Liverpool keeper Alisson made strong saves – including against ex-Salzburg player Hwang Hee-chan. Another with a Salzburg past equalized: After a remarkable heel pass from Thiago, Sadio Mane shot into the short corner (24th). The Senegalese let Anfield explode again in the second half, but his goal didn’t count because it was clearly offside (50′).
City were already behind at this point. The championship leader attacked half-heartedly when Aston Villa counter-attacked. Matty Cash headed in after a cross from Lucas Digne (37′). Former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho even scored in the near corner to make it 2-0 (70′). But five magical minutes were to turn the tide for City: First Gündogan headed in after a cross from Raheem Sterling, then Rodri sank the ball from the edge of the penalty area with the inside. When Gündogan then scored the winning goal after winning the ball and passing Kevin De Bruyne, all the dams broke.
Guardiola wins ninth title with City
Liverpool did their duty. Substitute Salah stole the ball from close range after a header from Joel Matip (84′), but in the end had to console himself with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min who were top scorers (23 league goals each). Andy Roberston (89th) made sure of the final score, but most of the Liverpool fans just stared at their cell phones – in vain.
Guardiola won his ninth title with City, but the club has never won the Champions League since it was taken over by its potent Abu Dhabi financiers. Guardiola also sees the Premier League title with its 38 rounds as a greater success, especially since he believes it is more difficult to achieve.
Source: Nachrichten
