Manchester City have one hand on the Premier League trophy after Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Erling Haaland’s brace in the second half, one of which came from the spot, means the Blues know a win over West Ham in Sunday’s final day showdown will see them to a record fourth straight Premier League title.
A nervy first half was soon forgotten when Haaland tapped in from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross six minutes after the break before the striker – now on 27 league goals and destined for the golden boot – made sure of the points with his penalty a minute into added time.
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There were jubilant scenes in the away end and on the visiting bench at full-time and here are a number of things fans may have missed during the preceding 90 minutes.
Haaland’s full-time gesture
Haaland now looks set for the golden boot but that is perhaps far from his mind at this stage, despite his double. Cameras honed in on the Norway superstar at full-time as he walked to the away stand and he had a message for fans back at home.
Haaland said ‘one more’ while holding up a finger at the camera with a stoic look on his face. His demeanour was encouraging for City fans, and reminded teammates that the job is not yet done despite the huge victory over Spurs.
Guardiola’s reactions
Guardiola has never felt the need to hide his emotions on the touchline but he was even more animated than is customary at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Catalan coach dramatically fell to the floor when substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega saved a one-on-one from Heung-min Son with the score 1-0 on 87 minutes.
Guardiola also let out a passionate celebration when Haaland fired home his spot kick, and was visibly relieved as the full-time whistle blew. City are now two games away from the domestic double.
Emotional subs bench
Ortega came on for Ederson after the goalkeeper was clattered into by Cristian Romero in the second half. Despite briefly carrying on after lengthy medical attention, he was taken off a few minutes later and was tearfully distraught on the bench.
Those emotions were contrasted with the joyous reactions of the players at full-time, with many running onto the pitch at the final shrill. Celebrations soon cooled in the knowledge that the title is not yet quite secured with West Ham to beat at home on Sunday.
Seething coaching staff
To add to the mix of emotion on the bench throughout the game, goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor was shown a yellow card. Players on the pitch were incensed by Romero’s collision into Ederson and Mancisidor was not happy either.
His protests earned him a booking amidst the aftermath as he helped prepare Ortega to come on .The German replacement ultimately made a crucial save just when City needed it most.
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