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  1. 'Relax and just focus on the next game'published at 23:11 14 May

     Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    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."

  2. 'Potentially title winning saves' from Stefan Ortegapublished at 23:05 14 May

    Stefan Ortega saves from Heung-Min Son with the score at 1-0Image 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."

  3. 'We know what we're playing for'published at 22:46 14 May

     Lorenzo Buenaventura, Fitness Coach of Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    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."

  4. 'It is not job done by a million miles'published at 22:36 14 May

    Kyle Walker of Manchester City celebrates winning the gameImage 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."

  5. Tottenham 0-2 Manchester City: Key statspublished at 22:10 14 May

    • 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).

  6. Full-time: Tottenham 0-2 Man Citypublished at 22:01 14 May

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    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).

    Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

    Spurs fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here, external

    How did they perform, City fans?, external

    Follow all of the post-match reaction here

  7. 'Varane failed to match the hype'published at 18:08 14 May

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    Raphael Varane of Manchester United reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    Raphael Varane was announced to Manchester United fans to some acclaim three years ago.

    It was pre-match, before a 5-1 win at Leeds United, in a summer that also marked the arrival of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. It seemed United were ready to really push for the top.

    But Varane, like United as a whole, failed to match the hype.

    He clearly is a class player, but he did not look a good fit for the Premier League.

    Varane is yet to start 60 league games across his three seasons and, while his partnership with Lisandro Martinez was the anchor of United's third-place finish last term, injury to both has robbed them of continuity and has played a significant role in the team's collapse.

    United had already decided not to trigger the option of a one-year contract extension but, the reality is, the former Real Madrid man probably did not want to stay on either.

    With a £34m fee and wages on top, United have spent about £85m on that deal. The reward has not been worth it.

    While they will get no fee for Varane now, it does create a gap which will be handy in profit and sustainability terms.

    In all likelihood, his replacement will probably not be a serial Champions League winner from one of the world's biggest clubs - so their salary will not be as high.

  8. 'A good signing' or 'distinctly average'? Your views on Varane's departurepublished at 18:07 14 May

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    We asked for your thoughts on how big a loss Raphael Varane will be to Manchester United after the France defender confirmed he would leave the club at the end of the season.

    He has made 93 appearances and lifted the 2023 Carabao Cup after arriving from Real Madrid in 2021.

    Here are some of your responses:

    Doug: Raphael Varane is arguably the best centre-half that United have - when fit. He is expensive, but it seems that United's decision not to keep him for another season indicates an unwillingness or inability to pay what it costs for a top player. United won't spend the money to find a replacement as good, so will end up with a weaker squad. No progress.

    Dan: Overpriced and salary heavy. Distinctly average. Get rid.

    Patrick: Too many injuries and huge wages. Great when he played but he was just not available enough. Seemed to come for a pay deal. He didn't seem vocal enough or help guide younger players through.

    Paul: I think Varane has been a good signing for us. As we get older it’s always time to move on, so a good time for it. I’m sure he’s been a good example in training for our younger players too. Time for some of them to step forward now to replace him - Willy Kambwala, as an example.

    Lee: Unfortunately, the perception and reality of Varane being in your team are worlds apart. On paper, what you have is a multiple Champions League winner. In reality, you have an injury-prone centre-half who, when fit, seems to command a place in the starting XI only to very quickly return to the injured list, upsetting balance and consistency.

    Gareth: Varane is a fantastic professional and leader, and last season he was brilliant. However, with his injury record and ridiculous inconsistency of starts for the club this season, it doesn't allow for a cohesive defensive unit. We need someone young and fit to come in and make the role their own alongside Martinez [and Maguire for rotation].

    Steve: Another Real Madrid cast off United have paid over the odds for. When will they learn that buying has-beens is bad business, regardless of their reputation?

  9. 'It's time to cut Hojlund some slack and let him develop'published at 14:32 14 May

    Alex Turk
    Fan writer

    Manchester United fan's voice graphic

    There is ever-amplifying noise about Rasmus Hojlund and his credentials as Manchester United's striker.

    Hojlund has now scored one goal in his last 10 games since returning from injury in March. But before his spell on the sidelines, the 21-year-old netted eight times in as many outings.

    United signed Hojlund accepting that he was far from the complete package. The Dane didn't decide his £72m transfer fee, nor would he have preferred the circumstances he walked into.

    Leading the line in one of United's worst-ever sides won't be easy. You simply have to watch the matches to see for yourself that his service is agonisingly limited.

    And yet, when he gets chances, Hojlund boasts a better shot conversation rate in the league this season than an array of stars, including Mohamed Salah, Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins.

    His 14 goals in all competitions is a greater tally than many world-class strikers when they were his age. It's time to cut him some slack and let him develop the way United expected.

    However, the club needs to recruit some support this summer, something Anthony Martial - on his way out - has failed to provide, making a tough test even more difficult.

    Alex Turk can be found at Stretford Paddock, external

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