Pep Guardiola rode an emotional rollercoaster during Manchester City’s win at Spurs (Picture: Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola joked that he had to lie down due to back problems after Son Heung-min’s missed chance for Tottenham left the Manchester City boss on the deck in north London.
Manchester City took a huge step towards a fourth consecutive Premier League title on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win at Spurs thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland.
It could have been very different, though, as Son raced clear on goal with the score at 1-0 to the champions.
Stefan Ortega, who had replaced the injured Ederson in the second half, stood tall and kept out the South Korean, much to Guardiola’s delight and the Spaniard flopped back onto the grass on the touchline as a result.
‘I had problems with my back and that position is better!’ Guardiola told a press conference of his reaction.
The City boss then said it was more due to the pain Tottenham have caused his side in recent years, praising his German goalkeeper for preventing any more hurt.
‘Oh god! Do you know how many times Son punishes us in the last seven or eight years? Can I tell you how many goals they score against us with Harry Kane?’ Guardiola said.
‘Oh my god. I said, no not again. But then Stefan made an incredible save because he has this talent. In the one against one, he is one of the best ‘keepers I have every seen in my life. It’s a German culture, stand up, don’t go down, he’s really, really good.
‘Since he arrives he plays in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, even this season Ederson has four set-backs for injuries and he is always so reliable. He’s an incredible, incredible ‘keeper, so our ‘keeper trainer made an incredible decision to bring him here.’
The victory at Sputs puts Manchester Cuty two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with one game to play.
That game is at home to West Ham on Sunday, with the Gunners hoping for an unlikely slip-up as they host Everton.
Arsenal do have a superior goal difference, so if City were to draw and Mikel Arteta’s side win then the title would be heading to the red side of north London.
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