MANCHESTER: Manchester City retained the Premier League title in the most dramatic of fashion as they hauled themselves back from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 with three goals in the final 15 minutes on Sunday.
Ilkay Gundogan came off the bench to score twice with Rodri also on target as Pep Guardiola’s men held off Liverpool’s title charge to win the league by a point.
In scenes remiscent of the first of City’s now six league titles in 11 seasons when Sergio Aguero scored a 93rd minute winner to deny Manchester United the title on goal difference, the champions produced a remarkable comeback at the Etihad.
Goals from Matty Cash and former Liverpool favorite Philippe Coutinho looked set to gift the Reds the title.
Jurgen Klopp’s men did their job by also coming from a goal down to beat Wolves 3-1 at Anfield, but City’s rescue act ensured Liverpool’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple is over.
Gundogan started the comeback as he headed in Raheem Sterling’s cross at the back post.
Rodri then side-footed home from outside the box and Gundogan completed the fightback by tapping home Kevin De Bruyne’s cross at the back post.
Guardiola said before the game he wanted no repeat of Aguero’s legendary late strike a decade ago.
But the Calatan was the most relieved man in Manchester as he sealed the 10th league title of his coaching career in just 13 seasons.
Fans swarmed onto the pitch to celebrate at full-time and the crossbar at the goal where City scored all of their goals was snapped under the weight of supporters sitting on it.
Man City retain Premier League title with dramatic late comeback
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Man City retain Premier League title with dramatic late comeback
- Ilkay Gundogan came off the bench to score twice with Rodri also on target as Pep Guardiola’s men held off Liverpool’s title charge to win the league by a point
Benzema hat-trick helps Al-Ittihad to a comfortable win over 10-man Al-Kholood
- The 4-0 win saw the reigning champions climb to fifth in the Saudi Pro League table, but still a sizeable nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal
DUBAI: Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick as Al-Ittihad extended their recent improved run of form to beat hosts Al-Kholood 4-0 and climb to fifth in the Saudi Pro League table.
The reigning champions now have 26 points from 13 matches and remain nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr sit in second with 31 points, ahead of Al-Taawoun on goal difference, while Al-Qadsiah are fourth with 27 points.
A difficult fixture for Al-Kholood became almost impossible when defender William Troost-Ekong received a straight red as early as the eighth minute. It came as little surprise that Ittihad would quickly overwhelm the beleaguered home team, with Benzema opening the scoring on 13 minutes from the penalty spot and then doubling the lead on 28 minutes, converting from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti’s assist.
The Frenchman completed his treble in the 35th minute, tapping home Moussa Diaby’s low cross from close range in a very similar manner to his second goal. Saleh Al-Shehri completed the rout six minutes from the end to secure a fourth straight SPL win for the club.
Earlier in the day, Al-Taawoun beat 10-man Al-Shabab 2-0 at home to stay third in the table. Roger Martinez opened the scoring with a 27th minute penalty, nine minutes after the away team’s MohammedAl-Shwirekh had received his marching orders. Angelo Fulgini scored the second in first half stoppage to secure three points and ensure Al-Taawoun bounced back from last week’s loss to Al-Ittihad.
In Friday’s other match, Al-Khaleej claimed a comprehensive 4-0 win over Damac, who had been reduced to 10 men after only 24 minutes. Al-Khaleej sit in ninth place in the standings, while Damac are 14th.
