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On the final day of the season, Manchester City and Liverpool had put the whole world on their toes. They dragged the title race to the end of the season, after pushing each other to the limits of their abilities.
Both clubs had been exceptional in their quest for excellence and their relentlessness had been the top ingredient for a very entertaining Premier League season. Before the start of the game, City were a point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the table.
Guardiola went into the final game of the season knowing that a win would confirm them as champions, regardless of the result of the Liverpool game. He started with Ederson in goal, with Walker, Kompany, Laporte and Zinchenko making up the back four. David Silva, Gundogan and Bernando Silva made up the midfield, while up top, Mahrez and Sterling partnered Aguero in attack.
City started the game strong, but failed to stamp their authority in the game. Things turned nervy when Brighton scored in the 27th minute through Murray. However, City reponded within the minute, as Aguero drew his team level. Guardiola's team kicked into a higher gear from there on and took the lead in the 38th minute through Laporte.
In the second half City came out with all guns blazing and took the game away from Brighton in the 64th minute through Mahrez. In the 72nd minute, Gundogan made it 4-0 and sealed the game for the Champions.
In the end, City's excellent season ended in an brilliant comeback win and helped them win the title. While the whole team was exceptional, Pep Guardiola will be extra pleased with these 5 men who were brilliant on the night and won City the Premier League title.
#5 David Silva
Bernardo Silva popped up around the park as City tried hard to break the deadlock in the opening quarters of the game. His speed and trickery made him a constant threat, and he regularly knocked at the Brighton door. Silva was the main instigator from the midfield, as City strived to find a breakthrough.
The Spaniard tried to unleash his forward players with his clever passing in the final third. After City went behind, it was Silva’s clever ball to Aguero that broke the dead lock. Silva was not averse to the dirty work either, regularly cleaning up and ensuring that City were not caught up on the counter.
#4 Ilkay Gundogan
The German footballer was selected in place of the phenomenal Fernandinho and had big shoes to fill on the most important day of the season. Gundogan turned out to be quite adept at his job and was efficient in the center of the park for the City team.
He ensured that the Brighton midfield had no impact on the game and the only way the home side got into the game was through a set piece.
Gundogan was also crucial as City piled on the bodies forward. He kept the ball moving and tried to catch the forward runs of his players from the deep. However, it was in the 72nd minute that his most telling contribution in the game arrived.
After City won a free kick near the box, up stepped the German midfielder. Gundogan struck the perfect free kick, up above the wall and into the top right corner. It was the goal that finally allowed City to relax and start cruising.
#3 Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte started alongside skipper Vincent Kompany in the center of the defense and largely had a easy day at the back. Even though the home side had rattled the door on the odd occasion, the City defense and especially Laporte had been solid at the back.
However, the first half was quite tense for both the Frenchman and the team, especially since City went a goal down as early as the 27th minute. The goal changed the complexion of the game in an instant.
Thankfully, City were level soon, but Laporte’s job was far from over. Besides ensuring that City never looked vulnerable again at the back, the Frenchman then helped City take the lead.
From a corner taken by Mahrez, the Frenchman broke away from his marker and hit a ferocious header into the net in the 38th minute. City took the lead, the nerves were settled and Pep Guardiola’s team never looked back.
#2 Sergio Aguero
The Argentinean had been fantastic for City this season and Guardiola needed him to be in full flow in the final game of the season. Aguero started the game under close attention from the home defense and looked extra dejected when Brighton took the lead. However, it was how well he reacted that ultimately set the tone for the game.
As soon as City restarted the game after going a goal down, Aguero knew what he had to do. Within a minute, he had done exactly what Pep had put him on the pitch to do. In the 28th minute, the Argentinean slipped past his marker and beat the offside trap to receive a splendid ball from David Silva.
With the goalkeeper rushing up to close him down and two more defenders in his tail, Aguero had to think fast. His instincts were superb, as he slid the ball through the legs of the onrushing keeper and brought City back into the tie.
It was the defining moment of the game, it was a statement that City were not going down without a fight. It was the perfect shot in the hand that this City team needed and ultimately, it kickstarted the comeback that won the game.
#1 Riyad Mahrez
When Guardiola placed Mahrez in the team, it was a surprise. Back in October, it was the Algerian’s failed penalty that allowed Liverpool to come into the title challenge. The Spaniard was probably hoping that Mahrez’s desire for redemption would have an important say in the game. And in the end, Pep’s selection decision turned out to be spot on.
Mahrez tormented the home defense from the start of the game. He had two shots on target in the first half, and in truth, the Algerian had been one of City’s best performers on the pitch. His speed and trickery were a handful for the Brighton team and it was from his corner that City took the lead.
But the Algerian’s moment of salvation was up ahead soon. In the 64th minute, Mahrez slipped away from a challenge from Dunk just outside of the box, moved to his right and then hit a volley with his weaker right foot. It sailed into the goal, gave City the all important breathing space and helped them win the game.
