There had been a sobering jolt in the first-half, though, when City fell behind not long after Liverpool had gone in front at Anfield. For precisely 83 seconds in fact there was the prospect of City’s world being turned on its head by a header and it was such a poor goal to concede as the old warhorse Glenn Murray stole in at the near post to firmly meet a Pascal Gross corner with his forehead and open the scoring.
The striker was unmarked, except for the token presence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, with Guardiola later conceding that one weakness of this City side is the fact it is still packed with diddymen and may need a bit more height. But it was one of those, the sublime, 5ft 6in David Silva, who created the equaliser as he collected a pass fired into him inside the area by Aymeric Laporte and had the vision and the skill to immediately flick it into the path of Sergio Aguero who applied the low, first-time finish through Ryan’s legs. Not quite as dramatic as the Aguero – or Aguerooooo - moment in 2012 but still pretty timely as it meant there was no chance of City panicking.
The Brighton goal felt like the wake-up call, the slap across the face, the dousing in cold water that City needed because before that they had struggled to create anything and once more appeared ner
The striker was unmarked, except for the token presence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, with Guardiola later conceding that one weakness of this City side is the fact it is still packed with diddymen and may need a bit more height. But it was one of those, the sublime, 5ft 6in David Silva, who created the equaliser as he collected a pass fired into him inside the area by Aymeric Laporte and had the vision and the skill to immediately flick it into the path of Sergio Aguero who applied the low, first-time finish through Ryan’s legs. Not quite as dramatic as the Aguero – or Aguerooooo - moment in 2012 but still pretty timely as it meant there was no chance of City panicking.
The Brighton goal felt like the wake-up call, the slap across the face, the dousing in cold water that City needed because before that they had struggled to create anything and once more appeared ner
Murray’s next involvement was far less impressive as he allowed Laporte to run free from a corner, swung in by Sterling, and plant a downward header from six yards out that span up off the pitch to beat Ryan and claim the lead.
Right on half-time there was a warning to City, however. It appeared Anthony Knockaert would take a free-kick, conceded by Kompany, but instead Dunk almost caught out Ederson with a well-struck 25-yard shot that the goalkeeper just about pushed out.
So there was no margin and it was clear in the way City went about the second-half that they intended to increase their advantage and end any doubt. Mahrez’s goal achieved that with Gundogan’s strike merely adding further confirmation.
It also allowed Guardiola to run through his substitutions – while Brighton gave a heartfelt send-off to their 38-year-old captain Bruno who is leaving the club. Kompany was also withdrawn and like Bruno was afforded a standing ovation. Was this his final league game for City with his current contract running out next month?
That can wait. Kompany was soon back on, soon leading those celebrations, reacting wildly as his name was finally read out and the trophy placed in his hands as Guardiola watched on, the tension dissipated, his body relaxing. This title race was finally run. “They did a great season,” he later said of Liverpool, adding: “But we did a little bit better.” And that little bit made a big difference.
Bernardo Silva quotes
After last season we didn't think we could do close to the points we did last season. The FA Cup is very important to us because it's a treble that no-one has ever done. It's the first time this club has ever won two Premier League trophies in a row.After the Newcastle game we thought it was very difficult but then we wont 14 games in a row, which is incredible. We're frustrated with the Champions League but that's normal.It's very physical, all the teams play direct football with very strong players. Set-pieces it's very difficult to defend. We're happy with our last two seasons and hopefully we get our last title against a strong side.Now it's time to celebrate.
Yaya Toure tells him he's been the best player and asks how he did that.
I owe it from you to run that much! I had a very good season, I'm very happy with it. I prepared it well because I didn't play as much as I wanted to last season and I'm very happy to be part of this squad. It's never easy to get a place in the starting XI.To be honest I feel comfortable in both positions. In Benfica I was in the middle, in Monaco on the right, national team I switch, here I switch. I'll play wherever I can do my best.
Pep Guardiola says this was the toughest title he's ever won
A lot. We work a lot. We have to say congratulations to Liverpool and thanks so much because they help us to push and increase our standard. We should do what we have done. Incredible is the reality in the time we realise 198 points. An incredible season for us.I think last season Man City made the standard higher so that is the level of the Premier League and Liverpool pushed us there. To win the title you must win 14 games in a row. It's incredible to do it after 100 points. Normally you go a little bit down.Right after no, we imagined they'd beat Leicester at home, have to be calm, seven points. With this Liverpool at that point of the season but we went game by game, I think it's not my feeling, it's the toughest title we have won in all my career by far.We don't have one player to make the difference, and so we have to do it as a team. That is the secret. We push each other, I push myself, they push me.It will be tougher but we'll be stronger too. I have the feeling next season we'll come back, we'll try to be who we are right now.
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Vinnie Kompany post-match
The most draining one, the first one was happening on the last minute of the season. This one was constantly knowing you have to win, have to perform and we beat one of the all-time greats and I'm proud.I had no interest. I promise you, if anyone talked to me about Liverpool I woul dhave lost my head, lost my mind. We didn't come this far 14, 15 games in a row. We played Brighton, so happy that when we conceded 1-0 we knew. Big players, big games.I knew it straight away. The first meeting of the season was about how we retain back to back. I felt the desire from the first game of the season. I'm so proud. They've given everything all season.He starts everything off, sets the standards. If he's being nice and gives you a tap on the back the team doesn't perform.I'm desperate, desperate to win the FA Cup next week. I can't tell you. We'll celebrate tonight but after that it's Watford, we'll do everything we can to win this game.It's 4-1, David came off before me, all good. I'm saying I dunno, it's not on my mind. I want to win, win, win then when the season's finished we'll see. All the outsiders have no say in this, it's between me and my family.
But the fans want to know Vinnie!
Yaya Toure steps in.
He's gonna stay don't worry. Two more years!
Then Yaya gets a selfie. It's nice that Sky Sports are paying Yaya to hang out with his pals today. It is genuinely fun to watch though.
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