Pep Guardiola hailed Stefan Ortega after the reserve goalkeeper took Manchester City to within 90 minutes of creating history.
Erling Haaland’s double put City in the ascendancy going into Sunday’s final day, with the opportunity to become the first English club to lift a fourth consecutive top-flight title.
But the champions were indebted to Ortega for a stunning late save from Heung-min Son after Ederson was forced off with an eye injury. The German stood tall moments before Haaland’s second goal in stoppage time.
‘One on one he’s one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen in my life,’ Guardiola said. ‘He’s so reliable. An incredible decision by our goalkeeping coach (Xabi Mancisidor) to bring him.
‘Ortega saves the action, otherwise Arsenal are champions – that is the reality. The margins are so tight.’
Stefan Ortega (right) made some huge saves as Manchester City went to the top of the table
Ortega made a huge save from Son Heung-min before Erling Haaland scored a penalty to make it 2-0
Pep Guardiola hailed Ortega as one of the best goalkeepers he’s ever seen in one-on-one situations
Ortega came off the bench after Ederson’s face was caught by the hip of Cristian Romero
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Rodri added: ‘Stefan was just simply incredible. If we draw, we were out [of the title race], so outstanding. Three saves. I have no words. Stefan basically saved us. Simply incredible and we have the best goalkeeper in the world.’
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City will be crowned champions should they beat West Ham at the Etihad Stadium but Guardiola sounded a warning after they almost blew the title two years ago at home against Aston Villa.
‘They are human beings, I understand the pressure,’ Guardiola said. ‘It will be the same on Sunday for us against West Ham. We will feel the pressure.
‘Look at Villa a few seasons ago, 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go. Or Sergio Aguero against QPR, went to 93 minutes. It is normal. That is why we talk and say everyone has to relax themself and do what they have to do, that is all.’
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou appeared to take aim at the club’s supporters and staff after two days that have opened his eyes on the job that needs doing.
Postecoglou has been incensed by the attitude towards the fixture as Spurs grappled with the prospect of losing or Arsenal winning a first title in two decades.
‘The last 48 hours have revealed that the foundations are fairly fragile,’ the Australian said. ‘It’s revealed a fair bit to me. We need to go back to the drawing board on certain things.
‘It’s outside, inside. Everywhere. It’s been an interesting exercise. It’s my observations. You can make your assessment. I probably misread the situation. But that’s OK.
‘Maybe I’m out of step but I just don’t care, I want to win. What other people, how they want to feel and what their priorities are, has zero interest to me. I just want to build a winning team.
‘I already knew what I wanted to do but I need to make adjustments on to how I do it.’
