On a night when Manchester City needed to pick up a victory against Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a new hero rose to the occasion. It has been a trait of Pep Guardiola’s squad for the past 3 seasons that when the moment arrives, someone rises to the occasion. Last night, it was Stefan Ortega who made a massive contribution to City, leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with an invaluable 2-nil win.
Stefan Ortega’s moment began in the 69th minute. He was brought on for Ederson, who had to be substituted after being on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from Cristian Romero. City’s number one keeper tried to soldier on after the incident. But he has to substituted at a critical moment in City’s bid to pick up a priceless victory over Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Ederson’s misfortune gave Stefan Ortega the chance to ensure Manchester City kept their clean sheets. It was an opportunity he seized. City needs to beat West Ham on the final day of the season to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Without Ortega’s heroics, they could have been facing an entirely different set of circumstances on Sunday.
READ MORE: City player ratings from Manchester City’s 2-nil win over Tottenham.
There was one save in particular that kept City’s title hopes in their hands. With 5 minutes remaining in a tight and tense contest, a Manuel Akanji error played through Son Hueng-Min. It appeared that Son would again score against Manchester City. As he raced through on goal, Pep Guardiola slumped to the ground as he could see City’s grip on top spot fading. But up stepped Stefan Ortega to deny Son with an outstanding save. It was a moment that could go down in Manchester City folklore if beat West Ham on Sunday.
Stefan Ortega Moreno. Phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/0QOPtAsRR7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2024
Ortega made two other crucial saves after he came on for Ederson. But it was his save from Son, which was arguably the moment of the game. An Erling Haaland penalty in the 91st minute would secure City a precious three points. But that moment doesn’t occur with Ortega’s crucial save. In the scheme of Manchester City’s chase for history, Ortega’s moment sits alongside any other this season. It was that important.
Speaking after his team’s crucial win, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Ortega’s contribution. He told the media: “He defined I would say how the team is a team. Ortega saved the actions. Otherwise, Arsenal will be champions. Do you know how many times Son punished us in the last seven or eight years?. I said ‘No, not again.’ But Stefan made an incredible save. He has this talent. In one on ones, he is one of the best keepers I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Stefan Ortega rose to occasion when he was called upon last night. His heroics ensured that Manchester City will have their title destiny in their own hands when they face West Ham on Sunday. When the story of this season is written, come the final whistle on Sunday, Stefan Ortega has earned himself a special chapter in the book if the world champions create history at the Etihad Stadium and claim a fourth consecutive Premier League title.