A dramatic turn of events on the Final Day of the English Premier League (EPL) 21-22 season was a perfect finale to one of the most exciting seasons in English Football. As the matches progressed today ( the 22nd of May ), the Title race between Manchester City and Liverpool with just 1 point separating them, became tighter and tighter and when Philippe Coutinho scored in the 69th minute for Aston Villa, Manchester City were 2 goals down. However, post 6 minutes of that goal came a City blitz. City scored 3 goals in 5 minutes to take the game away from Aston Villa and the Title farther away from Liverpool, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring a brace ( one powerful header and one a close range tap ) alongwith one superb effort from Rodri. All 3 goals were a culmination of skillful team work and absolute precision.
Prior to the start of the day Manchester City were at the helm with 90 points and Liverpool were close behind with 89 points after a gruelling season and 37 of 38 matches. Liverpool had to win their fixture against Wolverhampton ( which they did ) and wanted a favour from Aston Villa to be crowned EPL Champions. The fact is that Aston Villa almost delivered the favour, but Manchester City, the defending Champions had enough in the tank to blunt Liverpool hopes and stage a remarkable comeback to beat Aston Villa and win the EPL for the second year in a row and for the 4th time in 5 years.
Pep Guardiola, City’s Manager and one of the most successful and decorated Managers in the modern Era, has built a team of Champion players with sublime skills, tenacious temperament, immense self belief and an unflinching objective. The attacking and fluent football has been a hallmark of Manchester City ( scoring 99 goals this year) and an attestation of Pep Guardiola’s style of coaching and Management. It would be fair to say that football played by Manchester City has been exquisite, pleasing to the eye and of the highest calibre. Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, G Jesus, Cancelo , Ilkay Gundogan Bernardo Silva and Goalkeeper Ederson have been the core around which Pep has forged a robust , never to give up, City troupe.
There is no denying the fact that Manchester City have dominated English Football for the past 5 years and barring their nemesis and staunch opponents Liverpool they simply have no competition in England. Pep Guardiola, just 51, has reached legendary status with this victory today and it is not surprising that he is being spoken in the same vein as Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager ever in English Football.
The EPL Championship is another feather in an already feathered Cap of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Their game is truly inspirational and alongwith their millions and millions of fans I too stand inspired today. Will there be a hat trick for Manchester City is a very valid question. The answer lies in the next season which begins in a few months from now.
What a finale…What a game !!