‘I have no words’ - Rodri salutes Stefan Ortega after title-winning save in Man City win v Tottenham

Rodri claimed Stefan Ortega ‘saved’ Manchester City on Tuesday night as Pep Guardiola’s side secured a vital three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The champions won 2-0 thanks to an Erling Haaland brace against Spurs that lifts them above Arsenal and into first place ahead of the final day of the season. But it could have been very different had Heung-min Son converted a breakaway chance for Tottenham in the latter stages, when the score was 1-0.

Stefan Ortega - who replaced Ederson in the 69th minute after the Brazilian suffered a head injury - flew out of his goal, reduced the shooting angle for Son, and managed to get a huge hand to the ball and palm it wide.

It proved to be a decisive as just minutes later Jeremy Doku was fouled by Pedro Porro in the box and then Erling Haaland converted from the spot to wrap up a first league win at Tottenham’s new ground in the most emphatic of styles.

Speaking after the game, Rodri was in no doubt who City owed this victory to. “It’s unbelievable for us, giving us the chance to fight in the last game,” he told Sky Sports.

“We know there is still one more game. Today was incredible and it showed the character of the team. It wasn’t our best performance. 

“We came here to win, that’s what we do and the mentality of these guys… I want to talk about the substitutions. Stefan, he saved. Jeremy, was unbelievable. This talks about the team.

“Stefan was simply incredible,” he continued. “We were 1-0 up and if they draw we are out. Outstanding three saves. I have no words. Eddy was frustrated but the substitution makes sense because he had a concussion.”

The win means City need to equal or better Arsenal’s result on the final day of the season to win a record-breaking fourth consecutive top-flight title.

“We have the experience of Aston Villa [on the final day in 2021/22], we know it’s not done,” Rodri said ahead of that clash against West Ham United at the Etihad. “We know it’s going to be tough, but with our people, our crowd, we need their support and the last effort. If we do it we can change history.”