Reactions: Foden, Stones, Grealish on tough title win for Man City

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By Martin Graham | 23rd May 2022

And breathe.

In a season that looked unsure after a number of capitulations in other tournaments and dropped points in the simplest of games, the Cityzens successfully defended their Premier League title to end the season on a high.

Manchester City are Premier League 2021/22 champions.

It was an emotional afternoon for the club, who will surely take time to celebrate this win as it was the hardest they had fought for the title.

The reactions after the match encapsulated this feeling. These are the best bits from the locker room of the six-time Premier League champions after their latest triumph.

Grealish: ‘I was in tears after the win’

City’s most expensive signing, Jack Grealish, has not had the best introduction to the big leagues. However, he has shown glimpses of the talent that made City splash £100 million on him in the summer.

Following the win against the club where he grew up in, Grealish said to Man City’s website: “It’s unbelievable. I ran down the tunnel and cried my eyes out. Honestly, I can’t put it into words, I was crying my eyes out. The medal means everything. For me, I’ve never won it so I’m so happy!

“As a kid you want to win the Premier League and to win the Premier League… I can’t put it into words honestly.

“We know how good of a side Villa are and they showed it. With our quality we can beat anyone.”

He also added: “[Describing season] In four words, harder than I thought. I’ve enjoyed every minute. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone but honestly this makes up for it.”

Foden: Gundogan goal comparable to Aguero moment

Man City were on the verge of capitulation again but an inspired change from Guardiola which saw the introduction of German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan changed the game.

Gundogan pulled one back and then scored the winner in a tense final quarter to confirm the club’s successful defence and Premier League young player of the year Phil Foden believes it was akin to the famous “Agueroooooo” moment.

“It’s definitely got to be up there with Sergio’s moment!” Foden said. “The team that Pep has built, we always keep believing until the end. Not many teams could do that.

“It still hasn’t fully sank in. I couldn’t believe we went two goals down. The courage that we showed was unbelievable so I’m so happy to be a part of this special team.”

Specially praising Gundogan for giving the club another iconic moment on the tenth anniversary of that famous goal, Foden said: “What a guy! He came on and changed the whole game! He always knows where the ball is going to be in and around the box.

“He’s such a clever player. He was always there in the right place at the right time.”

Stones: City have character

Defender John Stones, who started as left-back, hailed the character of the team. “We have won it four times now,” he said. “We have won it with quite a few games to spare, the last day of the season three years ago and quite a few games to spare the third time and today [it went] right to the wire.

“I don’t know what the goal difference was, but I know it was tight. It just shows the incredible character of us as a team, how much we want it and how much we fight for each other and for everything involved at this club.”