The host knew that the victory on the last day of the season would guarantee the title and despite the 2-0 loss, he scored three goals in five minutes from the second half to send the Etihad Stadium into delirium.
Fans, many of whom kept their heads in their hands for most of the game, flocked to the field full-time to celebrate winning the title race like no other.
As players ran to the tunnel, City fans danced on the field and even broke one of the goals as performances of the club’s famous anthem, Blue Moon, filled the air.
As the season drew to a close, City manager Pep Guardiola said “the hardest service in tennis is the one you have to serve to be a champion”.
It was an analogy that could not have been more appropriate in the afternoon on a roller coaster in Manchester.
The goals of Matti Cash and former Liverpool star Filipe Coutinho seemed to steal the title from City’s grip, but Guardiola brought together a very special side.
Although many teams may have faded under pressure, City continued to insist and won their prize – with two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri, who secured their fourth league title in five years.
This is an achievement that makes it even more impressive than the quality of Liverpool, which has been fighting tooth and nail with City all season.
The victory comes ten years after Sergio Aguero opened the door to a decade of success at Manchester City, scoring his last goal of the final day of the season to win his team’s league title.
And without a goal in the final seconds, this victory for the title was almost as dramatic as the fans witnessed the full spectrum of emotions.
A variety of emotions
Fans seemed confident that their team would repeat such a success before the start with chants of losing Liverpool and winning the City title, filling the air around the stadium
There was a party atmosphere to charge with DJs who encouraged fans to sing the club’s iconic anthems – especially Blue Moon and Oasis songs – as they moved to their seats.
But when the match started, the excitement turned to nerves, as the fans of the hosts got excited every time Aston Villa enjoyed the transfer of possession.
Anxiety temporarily eased when news of Liverpool’s lag against the Wolves echoed around the ground, but rose again when City, especially Gabriel Jesus, squandered some early chances and Liverpool equalized.
This disappointment turned to anger when Villa scored two goals, many in blue staring at the sky for some intervention.
The title that so many expected City to win was slipping away.
But it’s not like this side of City fell without a fight, and she took matters into her own hands.
Faith grew after Gundogan scored the first and Rodri equalized in the blink of an eye. As fans are still celebrating, Gundogan has struck again to complete one of the most chaotic passages in the game in Premier League history.
There was an extra element of drama in Sunday’s game, with City’s opponents having some loyalty to his title rivals.
Villa manager Steven Gerrard is a Liverpool legend, but failed to win the league title during his tenure at the club.
He was close, of course, but his notorious omission seven years ago helped his team drop the title this season.
Fast forward so far and the script was almost too perfect from Liverpool’s point of view.
Knowing he had to take something from the game to help his childhood club overtake City, Gerard lurked on the side of the Etihad as a double agent sent by Anfield.
He barked at instructions from former Liverpool player Coutinho, who was looking to investigate City’s defense and deliver a gift to his former club.
Gerard kicked every ball from the goal line as his players dug resolutely against the growing pressure from City.
Eventually, Villa’s defenses were distorted and the locks opened.
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