Ilkay Gundogan hailed Manchester City's "incredible" Premier League title triumph as the German midfielder came off the bench to spark their astonishing fightback to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on the last day of the season.
Pep Guardiola's side were in grave danger of blowing the title after falling two goals behind at the Etihad Stadium, with a victory required to be sure of pipping Liverpool to the trophy.
But German international Gundogan proved City's super-sub as he headed home to give them a lifeline in the 76th minute.
After Rodri equalised, it was Gundogan who wrote his name into City's history books with the 81st minute winner from Kevin de Bruyne's cross.
City finished just one point ahead of Liverpool, who beat Wolves 3-1 in their last game, and Gundogan admitted he was almost lost for words after the dramatic denouement.
"It was an unbelievable game," Gundogan said.
"We are human beings and after going 2-0 down the chances were just very, very small. But we had to do the simple things and scoring two goals quickly and then having 10 minutes to score the third one gave us the right lift.
"It was about getting that goal and then the momentum was on our side then we were able to score three goals in just a few minutes. These are the days you look back to, it was an unbelievable game."
Liverpool trailed City by 14 points in January and only Gundogan's last-gasp heroics stopped the Reds stealing away the title.
"I know it's tough to say but if Liverpool do not play the way they play, incredible football and successful, I don't think this league could have been that attractive," Gundogan said.
"Even though they finished behind us, I think they played an incredible season. We pushed each other to the limits again."
Man City v Aston Villa ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 6. The goalkeeper was let down by his defenders as Cash stole in to rob him of his 21st clean sheet of the season. He made some brilliant saves throughout, and was good with his feet. Getty -
John Stones – 6. The defender made his return at right-back. He seemed to be lacking in confidence, but made some crucial interceptions to deny Watkins. Looked better in the middle. AFP -
Fernandinho – 5. In his final game for City the Brazilian had a shaky first half and was subbed. He made some brilliant tackles in the box, but was also guilty of struggling to keep pace with Watkins. AFP -
Aymeric Laporte – 6. The France international was below par in the first half, his highlight a header at the other end which Olsen smothered. Got better as the game went on, and made a key tackle to deny Watkins. AFP -
Joao Cancelo – 5. The Portuguese full-back was far from his usual best. At fault for Cash’s goal. AFP -
Rodri – 6. The Spanish midfielder showed off his great transitional skills from defence to attack, and he was a constant threat in and around the Villa box. While his passing was unusually wayward, he bagged the equaliser from the edge of the box. EPA -
Kevin De Bruyne – 6. Dangerous from set pieces, and led a number of counter-attacking breakaways, but not at his swashbuckling best. His key contribution was finding Gundogan at the back post for City’s third. Getty -
Bernardo Silva – 6. Making his 35th appearance of the season, Silva dropped deeper than usual and was City’s defensive playmaker. His passing was solid throughout. AFP -
Riyad Mahrez – 7. The Algerian displayed some brilliant footwork inside the box, but was largely ineffective. EPA -
Gabriel Jesus – 7. The Brazilian gave his all. His pressing ability was superb, and he forced an error from Olsen as he blocked one of his distributing passes. Getty -
Phil Foden – 6. Started well with some darting runs along the left. Along with Cancelo, he managed to create some brilliant space along the left, which was the focus of most of City attacks. Getty -
SUBS: Oleksander Zinchenko (Fernandinho, 46) – 8. The substitute left-back made an instant impact as he burst along the left-hand side multiple times trying to create chances. He displayed some quality footwork before setting up Rodri’s stunning goal. Getty -
Ilkay Gundogan (Silva, 68) – 9. The German helped his side get back into the game after he got on the end of a Raheem Sterling cross at the back post. He then scored another at the back post to make sure of the title, and send the Etihad into raptures. Getty -
Raheem Sterling (Mahrez, 56) – 7. Coming on to replace Mahrez, the forward made several darting runs forward, and he assisted a Gundogan goal after a brilliant cross to the back post. AFP -
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Robin Olsen – 6. Replacing the injured Martinez, the debutant goalkeeper made a sketchy start, with a number of passes putting his defence under pressure. Could do little about the goals. PA -
Matty Cash – 8. The Poland international was the star for Villa after he headed in a Lucas Digne cross at the back post. He also made a number of forceful and pacy runs along the right. Getty -
Calum Chambers – 5. The defender made a few key interceptions, especially from City crosses, including one to deny a Jesus header at the back post. He crumbled in the second half, though. Action Images -
Tyrone Mings – 5. The captain made a few good blocks but seemed all at sea, particularly in the second half capitulation. AFP -
Lucas Digne – 7. Provided the cross for Cash to head into the City net after a darting break along the left. Made some excellent forward runs throughout. AFP -
John McGinn – 6. The midfielder seemed off his usual game. He created some brilliant crosses in the final third, but was poor defensively. AP -
Douglas Luiz – 6. Like Mings, there wasn’t much the midfielder could do as his side had to defend attack after attack. He made several successful tackles to start counter attacks. Battled well against De Bruyne. PA -
Jacob Ramsey – 7. Showed some great pressing and energy in the middle. Needed to make some better passing decisions, but performed well. AFP -
Emi Buendia – 6. The former Norwich winger spread the play well, but made little impact PA -
Ollie Watkins – 7. The striker was Villa’s energetic attacking output, often leading counter attacks by himself. He got the better of Fernandinho before the centre-back was taken off. EPA -
Phillipe Coutinho – 8. Villa’s new permanent signing put in a real shift as he grabbed a counter attacking goal and showed some good strength against De Bruyne on the left-hand side. EPA -
SUBS: Marvellous Nakamba (Coutinho, 72) – N/A. After replacing Coutinho late in the second half, he made a strong commanding header to keep the pressure on City. However, his side slumped back and let City back into the game. EPA -
Danny Ings (Ramsey, 83) N/A. Couldn’t find the goal to help his former club. Reuters -
Ashley Young (Buendia, 88) N/A. The former Manchester United man replaced Buendia late on and couldn’t influence the game. AFP
