Pep Guardiola says the Etihad Stadium atmosphere during Manchester City’s remarkable title resurrection was the best he has known since arriving at the club. The ground was in fine voice until stunned by two Aston Villa goals, but after Ilkay Gundogan pulled one back, the momentum - and the noise - grew to a crescendo.
Guardiola had urged City fans to play their part and they rose to that, giving the players a rousing welcome when they arrived at the ground before the game, and then making a lot of noise before and during the game, only quietening when it seemed their dream of a fourth Premier League crown in five years was dying.
Gundogan ’s goal, quickly followed by Rodri ’s equaliser and Gundogan’s winner - all inside five minutes - saw the stadium build into a frenzy which led to a pitch invasion at the end. Guardiola was full of praise for the supporters who helped the Blues over the line after an ordinary performance.
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Asked about the atmosphere and the way it gave his team momentum, Guardiola said: “(It was) the best I lived since I was here - the last two games but today was so special. Hopefully tomorrow we will celebrate with cigars and beer. I’ll bring my cigars don’t worry. We needed to score soon when we went two down.
“Raheem made a great run, Gundogan arrives at the best moment and he’s done it for the first and third goal. The impact of Oleks (Zinchenko) was amazing, Raheem made more runners in behind, played wider and with Kevin (De Bruyne) and Gundo could be more present.
“The fight from Phil (Foden), Gabriel (Jesus) how he fought, had the energy. All the team, as they always have done it. In the last five years, four Premier Leagues, these guys are legends, people have to admit it.
“They are eternal in this club, what we’ve achieved is so difficult, only Sir Alex Ferguson has done it (in the Premier League era). I don’t know exactly how many times he did it. but we will defend our crown in this country again for one year.”
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