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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Five key moments which led to Man City's second consecutive Premier League title

It came right down to the wire, as it always looked like it would, but in the end Man City became the first team to win consecutive Premier League trophies in over a decade.

The 4-1 win over Brighton was City's 14th win in the league in a row which took them from being seven points behind Liverpool at one point to a point clear at the end.

It was a much harder fought campaign than last year and these are five of the crucial clashes that helped shape the season.

Mahrez put on the spot - Liverpool 0 Manchester City 0

City claimed a point at Anfield this season despite Riyad Mahrez missing a penalty (PA)

The two Premier League title contenders went head to head at Anfield in October - and City wasted a golden opportunity to leave with all three points. With just five minutes left, Virgil Van Dijk brought down City substitute Leroy Sane to give away a penalty. Riyad Mahrez stepped up, but the £60million summer signing could only blaze his spot-kick over the crossbar.

The point allowed City to regain top spot from Chelsea, as the Reds dropped to third.

Alderweireld own goal sees Anfield erupt - Liverpool 2 Tottenham 1

Liverpool edged out Tottenham 2-1 on March 31 to return to the top of the table - but only after late drama when Toby Alderweireld diverted the ball into his own net in the final minute.

It appeared Jurgen Klopp's side were about to hand the initiative back to City after Lucas Moura cancelled out Roberto Firmino's first-half header, which would have left the Reds level on points but significantly behind on goal difference.

However, as the clock ran into the 90th minute Mohamed Salah popped up at the far post to head goalwards, which Hugo Lloris could only palm out and Alderweireld managed to deflect the ball past his goalkeeper.

Derby delight - Man Utd 0 Man City 2

A trip to bitter rivals Manchester United late in the season was seen as a possible hurdle for City in their head-to-head duel with Liverpool.

They need not have worried.

Bernardo Silva put them ahead nine minutes after the break and Leroy Sane made it safe as David De Gea had a night to forget. Kompany rockets City back in control

Man City 1 Leicester 0

City had needed the intervention of goal-line technology to award Sergio Aguero's effort in a 1-0 win at Burnley. There was, though, nothing marginal about the superb strike from captain Vincent Kompany which saw Pep Guardiola's side secure a crucial win over Leicester to put the destiny of the title back in their own hands.

Gary Neville trolls Jamie Carragher after Man City pip Liverpool FC to Premier League title

With just 20 minutes left of what had been a largely nervous display at the Ethiad Stadium, City's long-serving and influential skipper crashed in a ferocious long-range effort which flew past Kasper Schmeichel and into the top corner. It was a 13th successive Premier League victory for City as they edged back in front of Liverpool heading into the final day of the season.

Last day drama? - Brighton 1 Man City 4

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City celebrates with teammates (Getty Images)

With City just a point ahead, there was little margin for error from Guardiola's men when they travelled to Brighton. The Reds - boosted by their thrilling midweek 4-0 victory over Barcelona to reach the Champions League final - had to beat Wolves at Anfield to stand any hope of snatching the title away. It looked as if it was going Liverpool's way when Sadio Mane scored and City went behind, but the Blues would hit back to win 4-1 on the south coast and defend their crown.

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