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5 key games in Manchester City’s title-winning season

It’s been a thrilling season of Premier League football, and it’s ended with Manchester City getting their hands on the trophy.

This is the sixth time that the Cityzens have won the Premier League title, and the fourth in five years. As a result, they have overtaken Chelsea and become the league’s second-most successful side.

Liverpool pushed them all the way, and at times looked like they may just pip them to the title. However, Man City held firm and managed to get themselves over the line. It’s fair to say they are worthy winners.

Here are five decisive games in their season.

Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City

Man City’s season didn’t get off to the most promising start. They enjoyed emphatic victories over Norwich City and Arsenal, but lost their opener against Tottenham Hotspur and were held at home by Southampton.

They travelled to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side heavily fancied for the title. The Blues came into the new season fresh from their European triumph, and had made a strong beginning to the campaign with four comfortable wins and an impressive draw at Anfield.

But this was a game where City really laid down a marker. They were by far the better side on the day, and claimed the three points thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ second-half finish.


Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City

At the start of the season, many expected Manchester United to be back among the title contenders. They had finished second in the previous year, and added Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to their ranks. And when Cristiano Ronaldo made his shock return to the Red Devils, excitement was bigger than ever at Old Trafford.

As we now know, things didn’t go as planned. They have been way off Man City throughout the campaign, and few games showcased that quite like the first Manchester derby of the season.

Joao Cancelo saw his cross diverted into his own net by Eric Bailly, and then the Portuguese crossed for compatriot Bernardo Silva to squeeze one in at the near post. This gave the visitors a 2-0 lead going into half time.

The rest of the match was comfortable for Pep Guardiola’s men, who never looked like giving up their lead. The only question was how many would they add to the scoreline – thankfully for Man Utd, it remained only 2-0.

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City

Man City kicked off the new year with a trip to the Emirates Stadium, in a battle of two of the Premier League’s most in-form sides. Arsenal had won their last five in all competitions by an aggregate score of 19-2, while City had won each of their last ten league outings.

The first half was a real struggle for the Cityzens, who could hardly threaten the hosts’ goal. In contrast, the Gunners were playing some beautiful stuff, and took the lead when Bukayo Saka swept in from Kieran Tierney’s low cross.

After the break, Man City began to work their way back into the game, and got themselves an equaliser from the penalty spot. Bernardo Silva had his shirt pulled by Granit Xhaka, and Riyad Mahrez dispatched his effort. Moments later, Gabriel was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.

Despite their numerical advantage, City weren’t able to dominate. But with the game seemingly heading for a draw, they snatched all three points when Rodri found the far corner inside the box.

It was far from their most glamorous performance. However, they had won when not playing well – the mark of champions.

Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

At one point, Man City were miles ahead in the title race. However, an exceptional run of form from Liverpool, coupled with a few dropped points from City, closed the gap down to just one point.

That gap was able to open up again when the Reds dropped points at home to Tottenham Hotspur. Heung-min Son broke the deadlock, before Luis Diaz equalised with a deflected strike.

The result gave City a margin for error going into the closing stages of the season. This proved crucial, as they drew with West Ham United a week later.

Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa

One game left. One point separates Man City and Liverpool. Guardiola’s side know that a win will secure the title.

Their opponents? Aston Villa, sat in 14th place. It seemed like a simple task.

A cagey beginning to the game was to be expected, but many were waiting for the home side to make the breakthrough.

However, the title race took a huge twist when Matty Cash gave Aston Villa the lead with a header from Lucas Digne’s cross. And when former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho slotted in at the near post to make it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go, it seemed like the title might be heading to Merseyside.

A few minutes later, they finally got themselves a goal. Raheem Sterling got down the right and lifted a cross for Ilkay Gundogan, who headed home to halve the deficit.

This sparked City into life, and they were level just two minutes afterwards. This time it was Rodri with the goal, finishing excellently at the near post from outside the box from Oleksandr Zinchenko’s lay-off. They now just needed one more.

And, of course, that goal came. It was Gundogan again with the goal, tapping in from Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross. Three goals in five minutes had turned despair to euphoria at the Etihad Stadium.

In the biggest moments of their season, they stepped up, and that’s exactly why they’re champions.

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