‘The stars aligned for us’

The German keeper entered the fray after Ederson took a serious blow to the head from Cristian Romero and couldn’t be risked.

Ortega then produced a fine save from a Dejan Kulusevki effort and what looked to be a match-winner from Son Heung-min in the 86th minute. Brennan Johnson had intercepted Manuel Akanji’s sloppy pass and released Son. The Spurs captain looked destined to equalise but the replacement keeper denied him.

Erling Haaland made the save count even more a few minutes later, confidently sweeping a penalty into the top corner after Pedro Porro had fouled Jeremy Doku.

The 2-0 win for City sees them return to the top of the Premier League two points ahead of Arsenal, and a win over West Ham on the final day will see Pep Guardiola’s side take an unprecedented fourth straight league title.

Guardiola praised his substitute keeper when speaking after the victory.

“He’s done that since he arrived,” he said. “When we arrived, we saw the standard of keeper that he is. We know that.

“He make incredible, incredible saves many, many times. In that moment, one or two actions, because they are so fast, Kulusevski, Maddison, with Johnson, Son. Fantastic players. The runners with the ball. They have a lot of weapons, speed behind the defenders. An exceptional team. We knew we had to suffer. We give us a life, a few more days until the last game of the season at home.”

Ortega’s heroics ensured that a final day clash with West Ham will decide if City walk away with the record-breaking fourth in a row.

“They feel it,” he added. “They know it’s there. They are not celebrating anything. They were happy of course, relief, because we want it to ride to the last game, but we know we have a lot of job to do.

“Now it’s Kudus, Antonio, Bowen, Ward-Prowse with the set pieces, Soucek. They are tricky. In a football game, everything can happen, nothing is for granted.

“To win Wimbledon, the tennis player said the serve to win Wimbledon is the most difficult one. The most difficult one. This is what you have to…we prepare well, completely focus and try it again.”

Kyle Walker was equally full of praise of his goalkeeper, praising his technical ability and admitting he reminds the England defender of Bayern Munich and German legend Manuel Neuer.

“Stefan has got that spread, hasn’t he. He reminds me of Neuer, the German goalkeepers have got that spreading,” the former Spurs defender said.

“I think Manuel’s (Akanji) been fantastic all night, but it’s just as a defender, it’s sod’s law. One mistake and it can end up in the goal.

“He’s got that spread where’s got down and the big calf has come into play. I bet his heart was in his mouth. I was just thinking ‘No! Not again!’ For Son, we’ve spent so much time together, we were at Tottenham. He’s the nicest man in football, so for him to do it to me, I don’t think I could forgive him.

“But, listen, the stars aligned for us. We’ve got a chance to go and do it the last game of the season.”

City now face David Moyes’ West Ham side on Sunday, May 19 at the Etihad, where a win will see City crowned Premier League champions for the sixth time in seven seasons.

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