The first news in the title fight came early from Anfield, where Liverpool took office without Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. The latter was especially missed, when already in the third minute the rear guard looked bad and Pedro Neto tapped in after a low cross. After Luiz Diaz had had a great chance to equalize, it was halfway through the first half Sadio Mané who signed for the 1-1 after a wonderful pass behind the standing leg of Thiago Alcantara.
City were a lot better at the Etihad Stadium, but eight minutes before half-time the title battle became really exciting when Aston Villa struck from a sparse counter. Lucas Digne’s cross was measured and Matty Cash outwitted Ederson with his header. However, it was not the case that Liverpool had it easy at home. Five minutes before halftime, Alisson Becker had to intervene to prevent Hwang Hee-chan from making it 1-2 for Wolverhampton.
After the break, City increased the pressure, but it was Aston Villa that quickly had a big chance. After a great kick-off, Olie Watkins was able to continue, but the striker shot just wide. Both City and Liverpool, where Salah came in after an hour, seemed overcome by the tension. In Manchester, Aston Villa was once again able to strike. Nota bene former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho struck with brilliant control and a dry shovel into the short corner.
That seemed to be the end, but City got up in about ten minutes. First Ilkay Gundogan headed in nicely, then Rodri equalized with a nice slider and moments later Gundogan even made the 3-2 for Pep Guardiola’s team. The pressure was then increased from Liverpool as Salah made the 2-1 and Andrew Robertson the 3-1. As a result, City were not allowed to give away their precious lead against Aston Villa.
Spurs to the Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur took fourth place and thus enter the Champions League with City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Won a visit to Norwich City The Spurs easy 0-5, partly due to a big mistake by Tim Krul. Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Everton therefore no longer mattered. Van de Beek, who came in after half an hour, scored for the visitors.
Veltman does Ten Hag a favor
Erik ten Hag does not have to report to the Conference League with Manchester United next season. For a while it looked as if Manchester United would lose sixth place, when it itself was 1-0 behind Crystal Palace and West Ham United were ahead of Brighton. Joël Veltman, however, came to the aid of his old trainer with an equalizer for Brighton, so that Ten Hag will initially focus on the Europa League in Europe next year. After Veltman’s goal, Brighton even ran to a 3-1 victory.
Exit Burnley
The curtain fell for Burnley. Wout Weghorst’s team will play in the Championship next season with Watford and Norwich City. Burnley lost 1-2 to Newcastle United at home, while Leeds United took the win against Brentford with the same numbers.