Erling Haaland scored two goals to settle Manchester City’s nerves as the Premier League champions defeated Tottenham 2-0 to take a giant step towards a historic fourth straight title on Tuesday night.
Haaland tapped home a cross from Kevin De Bruyne early in the second half to score City’s first-ever league goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Norwegian striker netted a late penalty to seal the three points for the visitors, minutes after substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega saved brilliantly from Son Heung-min.
The win takes Pep Guardiola’s team two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table after 37 games.
A victory at the Etihad Stadium against West Ham on Sunday will make them champions for a fourth consecutive season, regardless of the Gunners’ result against Everton.
No team in English top-flight history has ever won four Premier League titles in a row.
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Defeat for Spurs also guarantees that Aston Villa will finish in the fourth Champions League spot, joining City, Arsenal, and Liverpool in Europe’s top-tier competition next season.
Guardiola said after the game: “We gave the chance in our hands for the last game.
“The tennis players say ‘The serve to win Wimbledon, the last game, is the most difficult one’.
“It happened in our period against Aston Villa in 2022. And many, many years ago it happened with Sergio Aguero scoring in 93 minutes 20 seconds against QPR. So there will be the typical game.”
Guardiola also called for help from City’s fans to get them over the line, saying: “We know what we’re playing for.
“The tension is there, the rival is so good. It’s why it is difficult, we know that.
“Everyone come to the stadium and make noise. These games are more difficult but you have to do it. We’ll have one day off, two days to prepare, and then we will do our best.”
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