Manchester City

One of the most enthralling Premier League title races of modern time - lit up by some of the biggest and most expensive stars in the division - may have been decided by a man signed on a free from German side Arminia Bielefeld after they had just been relegated from the Bundesliga.

Since arriving at Manchester City in summer 2022, Stefan Ortega has repeatedly shown himself to be a worthy deputy to Ederson. He has looked assured when the Brazil keeper has been injured and thrived in the role of Pep Guardiola's cup goalkeeper - including starting last season's FA Cup final win over Manchester United.

However, Ortega's role in putting City on the verge of an unprecedented fourth title in a row has been a little different.

There have been 15 goalkeeper substitutions in the entire Premier League this season and remarkably four have been him replacing Ederson.

The other four of Ortega's league appearances have been starts in wins over Crystal Palace, Brighton and Aston Villa, as well as the potentially pivotal home draw with Arsenal.

After his stunning cameo against Tottenham on Thursday, we break down the times the 31-year-old has been thrust into the action, and how each time he has risen to the challenge.

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Tottenham 0-2 Manchester City, 14 May 2024

With Ederson struggling after a collision Cristian Romero, Ortega's job was to keep Spurs out for the final 21 minutes. His remarkable cameo may well have rubber-stamped City’s sixth title in seven seasons.

Two fine saves to deny Dejan Kulusevski were followed by perhaps the defining moment of the Premier League season. Spurs' captain and top scorer Son Heung-min raced through on goal with five minutes left only for Ortega to stretch out his leg and block his firm strike.

At full-time Guardiola headed straight for the German, planting a kiss on his cheek later describing him as "world-class".

It is very hard to argue with that.

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Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester City, 28 April 2024

When the pressure increases as the season reaches its climax, City players just step up. Ortega in no different. Sent on at half-time into a raucous City Ground he once again kept a clean sheet.

His shot-stopping was excellent but the way he commanded his box during an aerial bombardment led by Chris Wood showed how complete his game currently is.

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Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City, 10 March 2024

After City dominated the first half, Ederson was injured conceding a penalty early in the second amid a cauldron at Anfield. He stayed on and faced Alexis Mac Allister's spotkick - who scored - before being withdrawn and on came Ortega.

The rest of the second half was an onslaught, a display Jurgen Klopp described as the best his Liverpool had ever played against City. However, Guardiola's men left with a point after a resolute rearguard action, with Ortega calm in the face of chaos to keep his clean sheet, including a block from Darwin Nunez late on.

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Newcastle 2-3 Manchester City, 13 January 2024

Ortega replaced Ederson at St James' Park with only eight minutes after the Brazil keeper collided with Kyle Walker. He was then stunned by two goals in two minutes that turned the game following Bernardo Silva's opener.

However, he retained his concentration and saved vitally when Alexander Isak broke through one on one to stop Magpies opening up a potentially decisive two-goal lead shortly before half-time.

City went on to equalise and found a winner in second-half stoppage time.

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Erling Haaland says Man City players need to "relax" ahead of the final game of the season.

Following their 2-0 win against Tottenham, City know a win against Sunday's opponents West Ham will guarantee them their fourth Premier League title in a row.

"Focus on the next game and try not to think too much. Let's all get together and finish this," he said in an interview with City+.

Speaking about Tuesday's victory, in which he scored both goals, he said: "We came here to try to win and we won."

"Spurs are a fantastic team, you know everyone knows that they want to play all the time and all praise to them.

"It was really difficult, but yes, we came here to try and win and we won. That's my only thing and I'm happy.

"I think we were a bit nervous. I think that's normal, there's a lot of emotions for everyone."

Stefan Ortega replaced Ederson and denied Son Heung-Min late on before Haaland scored his second from the spot, and on the substitute keeper Haaland said: "What can I say? He's incredible and such a good guy as well, so I'm happy for him."

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Manchester City may have beaten Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham on Tuesday night to put the title race in their own hands but it does remain open going into the final day of the season.

The Gunners will need to beat 15th-placed Everton on Sunday and hope for a favour from fellow Londoners West Ham at the Etihad, while Pep Guardiola's side just need three points to secure a fourth straight Premier League crown.

If Arsenal draw, they can still win a first league title in 20 years on goal difference if Manchester City were to lose to the Hammers.

So when things can still go either way on the last day, what happens to the trophy?

Well, it will not be being helicoptered from one stadium to the other when the final whistle blows.

There are in fact two identical trophies - one that has stayed with the holders over the season and one that is kept for use by the Premier League - with these being located at both stadiums on the final matchday.

There will also be identical podiums and pyrotechnics in place at each ground and the trophy will not be engraved until after it has been lifted by the champions.

Players will not have to worry about waiting around on medals either, with a set of 40 being available at both Etihad Stadium and Emirates Stadium for the winners.

Image source, Reuters

Headway, the brain injury association, has spoken about the handling of Ederson's injury in Manchester City's win at Tottenham.

The Brazil goalkeeper was involved in a collision with Cristian Romero in Tuesday's 2-0 win which put City on the brink of a fourth straight Premier League title.

Ederson needed several minutes of treatment after being caught by Romero's hip in the second half.

Despite concerns, he was allowed to play on for several minutes before being replaced by Stefan Ortega, with Headway chief executive Luke Griggs questioning the process.

"The concern from players of both teams in the immediate aftermath of the injury, as well as from the medical team and the fact a stretcher was brought onto the pitch, would suggest a clear concern for Ederson's wellbeing," said Griggs.

"The fact that he was not immediately removed would suggest a concussion was not suspected, this is hard to understand especially as symptoms can be delayed in their presentation.

"While we were relieved to see the player taken off a few minutes later, it is hard to fathom why this was not an immediate decision. It is yet another example of when a temporary concussion substitute would have been helpful."

Griggs added: "Ederson's angry reaction is no surprise given the competitive nature of players who want to take part in massive games like this one, though his reaction underscores the need to take such decisions out of the players' hands."

City manager Pep Guardiola said after the match that Ederson was not concussed. "He had a problem with his eye, he could not see properly so the doctor said I should change," he said.

We asked our Manchester City fan contributor for their four player of the season choices and you can now vote for your top one.

Image source, Getty Images

Manuel Akanji

Akanji may sound like a surprise shout, but the defender goes from strength to strength at City. Signed for just £14m, he has proved to be a ridiculous bargain. His versatility, consistency and leadership skills have made him City's best defender this season.

Kevin de Bruyne

De Bruyne has played just 24 games for Manchester City this season. He has 18 assists. EIGHTEEN. Add his six goals to that tally and you can see why there is simply no-one like him in world football. Even with just half a season under his belt, he has to be on this list.

Phil Foden

It feels like we have been waiting for years for Foden to finally make himself the main man at City, and you can see why it was worth the wait. In the absence of De Bruyne, he has stepped up big time. Goals, assists, magic. Just a joy to watch.

Rodri

I'll put it simply - Rodri has been one of the best players in the world. I'm not sure anyone has come close to achieving what he has over the past two years. Unbeaten in over 70 games - he is just astonishingly good and our best player.

Pick your 2023-24 Man City player of the season from our shortlist here

Steven McInerney can be found at Esteemed Kompany, external

We asked for your thoughts after Manchester City moved to within a win of the Premier League title with a 2-0 victory that ended Tottenham's top-four hopes.

Here are some of your responses

Tottenham fans

George: We deserved more from the game. City don't dominate us at home. We lacked that finishing touch plus Ortega was outstanding. Our football at times was really penetrative. Didnt careless about what it meant to Arsenal. I wanted to win this game. Our home form has been sketchy this season. Need a striker.

Paul: At least Arsenal fans can’t complain that we rolled over for City. We dominated for long periods of the game and had several good chances but the finishing or the final pass was not good enough. Van der Ven did well at left-back and Maddison was more involved than he has been in the past eight or nine games. We need to finish strong on Sunday in Sheffield.

Pete: One of the best performances from a Spurs side this season, especially on the back of the three defeats against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, which, let’s be honest, were not good with Spurs showing little heart or quality. Tonight they showed both. At the beginning of the season with an unknown manager I would have taken this league position.

Lee: I don’t understand the Spurs supporters saying that they were conflicted. I wasn’t for one moment - I'm glad City won. We were never going to finish fourth.

Manchester City fans

Elz: Champions again ole ole! Champions again ole ole! On the brink of another title - Ortega miraculous, Haaland ruthless, Doku a game-changer. It's what we do.

Koeran: City weren't at their sparkling best, they were clearly nervous but they broke the Spurs curse and are on the brink of history... AGAIN! Come on City!

Ken: Champions display with clear sense of victory. Premier League 2023-24 has been won and lost today. Congratulations to the Champions - Manchester City.

Pat: A nervy performance from City but what a result. We started slow and the early periods of the game probably belonged to Spurs but we gradually grew in confidence and by half-time were looking more comfortable. The unusually flat atmosphere in the stadium didn’t help City but the second half showed a more determined approach and the quality shone through.

Image source, Telegraph/Express

The reigning champions will sit top of the Premier League table heading into the final day of the season for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, going on to win the title in each of those previous campaigns.

Little wonder then the Mirror says they have 'won hand on the title' and the Star leads with a play on Erling Haaland's name - 'they think it's Haal over'.

Image source, Star/Mirror

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City go into Sunday's game against West Ham knowing a win will confirm them as Premier League champions. It was a position they were in at the end of the 2021-22 campaign - and the chance almost slipped away.

On that occasion, City just needed to match Liverpool's result to lift the title. They beat Aston Villa 3-2, but not without some drama, as Ilkay Gundogan scored a late winner to complete a superb comeback.

Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent John Murray said: "What they've got is relatively recent memory of two years ago when everybody thought they were going to roll over Aston Villa on the final day of the season and Villa took a 2-0 lead - they were still leading with 15 minutes left. That's a recent memory for most of this squad."

If Pep Guardiola's side clinch the title on Sunday, they will become the first team in history to win England's top division in four consecutive seasons.

Ex-City midfielder Michael Brown added: "These players have been used to coming up late [to seal the league title]. I thought they would have been more comfortable than they have this season, but full credit to Arsenal. Liverpool shocked everybody, they added the pressure and they've just fell away.

"But it's just an amazing club to be around. The level that everybody expects from each other, and it's humble as well. The players are so good, they're always happy to do stuff for people. They could do something that nobody's done and yet they'll still be the same."

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Manchester City are interested in Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong, 23, who is leaning towards leaving Bayer Leverkusen in the summer with Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United also keen to take advantage of a £35m release clause in his contract. (Bild - in German - subscription required), external

Manchester City and Arsenal have made contact with Newcastle United and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 26, over a potential summer move. (Caughtoffside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Manchester City forward Erling Haaland speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a bit horrible. A lot of emotions, we were nervous, which is normal for these types of games, but we won. That was the goal, I don't care how we won. We won. Now on to the next one."

On worrying about the first goal being offside: "Yeah a little bit. I saw Kev was on the line and was a bit scared it was offside. You never know. But that is why we have VAR, they checked it and it was a goal so it was fantastic."

On the pressure penalty at the end: "I was really nervous, scared of course, but also a bit excited. It was all about getting the ball into the back of the net. That's what I did, so happy, relaxed, focus on the next one."

On the routine ahead of Sunday: "Relax. Don't think too much. Relax with our families and train together. Keep on doing what we have been doing now for 37 games straight, try not to think too much, focus and have fun."

Is this year's title race more exciting?: "I don't think about this. I don't think about last season now. Relax, don't think and just focus on the next game."

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Robinson, former Tottenham and England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live:

"Man City were professional tonight. They weren't at their glittering best. They didn't create as many chances as you'd have expected them to create. They got a job done in a stadium where they had never won before in the Premier League, nor had they scored a league goal here. A great performance by them.

"Stefan Ortega who came on midway through the second half was nothing short of exceptional.

"As a second-choice goalkeeper you are on the bench and you don't want to come on, it is so hard to get up to speed with the game. What Ortega has done coming on when he did and producing those two moments, he has been excellent."

Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer:

"City have just upped the gears, made the chances and taken them. They have looked pretty comfortable for the majority of the time. Yes, Stefan Ortega made two huge saves but you always felt like they had something extra up their sleeve.

"After he came on Ortega has made two huge blocks. Big, big blocks. They are potentially title winning saves for Man City."

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to BBC Match of the Day: "It was so difficult a game. We knew it. They play with a lot of pride and intensity and it's so difficult to play against them.

"Spurs will in the future be unbelievable if they stick with the manager. 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. 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.

"Now calm, thinking [about Michail] Antonio, [Jarrod] Bowen, [James] Ward-Prowse.

"Kevin [De Bruyne] had a kick to the ankle and couldn't run properly. Ederson did not have concussion, he had a problem with his eye. He could not see properly so the doctor said I should change. He [Stefan Ortega] is a world-class keeper. He's an exceptional, exceptional keeper.

"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."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, talking to Sky Sports after moving to within a win of the Premier League title: "It was very difficult with the emotions riding on it but the lads did the job they needed to do. It is one step closer. You have to take every game as it comes. We had a job to do tonight but we know how things can swing.

"We prepare, we recover and West Ham is another final and hopefully we can go and make history for this great club. It is not job done by a million miles. Hopefully we can get the win. If I didn't enjoy the pressure, I would be in the wrong job and the wrong team.

"Last night, I couldn't sleep. They tried to set fireworks off but we weren't there, they missed us. I can't describe the feeling when we went 2-0 up.

"It was an unusual game but we are competitors. Spurs could have gone and got the Champions League. You could see they were putting everything on the line to win the game."

• Manchester City will sit top of the Premier League table heading into the final day of the season for the sixth time in the last seven seasons (exception 2019-20), going on to win the title in each of those previous campaigns.

• City are now unbeaten in 22 consecutive Premier League games (W18 D4), including all 18 in 2024 (W15 D3). The last two teams to make as long an unbeaten start to a calendar year failed to go on to win the title in that same year (Liverpool in 2022 – 2nd and Chelsea in 2008 – 2nd).

• None of Tottenham’s 19 home league games finished as a draw this season (W13 L6) - It is the first time in their history that they have not drawn at home in a league campaign.

• Tottenham are now guaranteed to finish outside of the top four positions in the Premier League for the fourth time in the last five seasons, after finishing in the Champions League spots in each of Mauricio Pochettino’s final four full campaigns in charge (2015-16 - 2018-19).

• Erling Haaland’s opener was the first goal Manchester City have scored in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with what was their 79th shot at the venue. It was the Citizens’ first away league goal against Spurs since Riyad Mahrez netted at Wembley Stadium in October 2018.

• Kevin De Bruyne has assisted Erling Haaland 12 times in the Premier League since the beginning of last season - at least four more times than any other player has for a teammate in the competition.

• De Bruyne has now recorded 10+ assists in six different Premier League seasons, the joint-most times alongside Cesc Fabregas; the Belgian (112) also moved ahead of the Spaniard into outright second for most assists in the competition’s history, behind only Ryan Giggs (162).

Manchester City moved to within one win of a historic fourth successive Premier League title with victory at Tottenham.

Erling Haaland's second-half double settled a tight encounter in which Spurs' hopes of a top-four finish ended, and sent Aston Villa into the Champions League for the first time next season.

Pep Guardiola's reigning champions will now lift the crown again if they beat West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on Sunday (16:00 BST).

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