Manchester City is commemorating a landmark fourth consecutive Premier League championship, solidifying their undisputed authority in English football. Yet, this historic triumph owes its credit to several pivotal elements.
Highlighted by AFP Sport, here are five factors behind City’s triumph — marking their sixth English title in seven seasons.
Ortega’s Game-Changing Save
In a crucial moment, Stefan Ortega’s remarkable save proved pivotal. As Son Heung-min charged through the midfield, poised to confront Ortega on Tuesday, time seemed to freeze at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The fate of the entire season teetered on this moment, with Spurs fans torn between thwarting City’s progress and potentially aiding their fierce local rivals, Arsenal.
Ortega, Manchester City’s understudy goalkeeper, found himself thrust into the spotlight when he replaced the injured Ederson in the 69th minute.
With the match delicately poised and City clinging to a narrow 1-0 lead, Ortega’s heroic intervention defined the moment.
Racing out of his area, he defied the odds, making a crucial save with his legs to preserve City’s advantage on the scoreboard.
Minutes later, the pendulum swung further in City’s favor as Erling Haaland calmly converted a penalty, extending their lead to 2-0.
This pivotal moment not only padded City’s advantage but also afforded them a two-point cushion over their perennial rivals, Arsenal, thus maintaining a firm grasp on the destiny of the title.
Enter Phil Foden, a beacon of brilliance in City’s midfield. As Kevin De Bruyne grappled with injury early in the season, Foden seized the opportunity to assert his influence on the team.
Operating in a central role, Foden flourished, showcasing his creative prowess with 27 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
Former Manchester United stalwart Rio Ferdinand hailed Foden as a natural successor to De Bruyne, envisioning a seamless transition of leadership at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, the unsung hero, Rodri, quietly orchestrated City’s midfield dominance. With an impeccable record of invincibility dating back to February 2023, Rodri’s presence on the pitch instilled confidence in his teammates.
Despite operating in the shadows of illustrious names like De Bruyne and Haaland, Rodri’s significance to City’s success cannot be overstated.
His commanding performances in midfield, characterized by precision passing and astute defensive acumen, earned him accolades from manager Pep Guardiola, who hailed him as the premier midfield talent in the world.
City’s path to glory was further paved by the misfortunes of their rivals. On April 14, a pivotal weekend in the title race, Liverpool and Arsenal faltered, while City surged ahead.
Liverpool’s unexpected defeat to Crystal Palace and Arsenal’s stumble against Aston Villa shifted the balance of power decisively in City’s favor.
Despite sporadic criticisms and fleeting doubts, City’s resolve remained unyielding as they capitalized on their rivals’ setbacks.
At the forefront of City’s attacking arsenal stood Erling Haaland, the mercurial Norwegian striker. Despite enduring injury woes and brief periods of frustration, Haaland’s goal-scoring exploits remained unparalleled.
With 27 Premier League goals to his name, Haaland clinched the coveted Golden Boot award, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier marksmen.
Even amidst scrutiny and skepticism, Haaland’s blistering form in the season’s twilight stages proved instrumental in City’s triumphant march to the title.
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