It was a nail-biting evening at the Etihad Stadium and one which ended with relief and delight in equal measure.
Here, we discuss four talking points from a night to remember…
1Kompany’s magical moment
That the Telegraph’s Jason Burt described it as the Belgian’s very own ‘Aguero moment’ and Gary Neville asked, ‘where do you want your statue’, tells you just how significant this goal was.
It felt like the Etihad paused as the ball hit the back of the net, needing a moment to register what had happened, before the emotion came pouring out.
It was a superb match-winning strike and a huge moment in the title race but despite all of that, it somehow felt bigger because of who it was.
It was Vincent Kompany. Manchester City captain. Honorary Mancunian.
It felt particularly apt, that when it was needed most, it was our leader, a man so ingrained in our previous success, who got us over the line in the most sensational way.
2Taking on all comers
City suffered a Boxing Day defeat to Leicester, but in avenging that loss equalled a 129-year record.
The win meant we have beaten every side we have faced in the league for the second consecutive season and the only other English top-flight team to do that was Preston North End between 1888-89 and 1889-90.
It’s another landmark moment for Pep Guardiola’s side, who’ve shown remarkable consistency over the past two seasons to accumulate 195 points out of a possible 225.
3City juggernaut
Such consistency has been crucial in the second half of this season, when the reigning champions have been wonderfully dependable.
The Leicester victory was our 13th consecutive league win, only the fourth time in Premier League history that a team has enjoyed such a lengthy run and amongst the teams to do so, we’re the only one who has done it twice.
4Made to wait
Littered in that extended winning run are several examples of City’s ability to grind out results, particularly in recent weeks.
That was the case again against Leicester, who proved difficult to break down on night of heightened tension at the Etihad.
City have been notoriously quick starers under Pep and Kompany’s 70th minute winner was the longest wait for an opening goal in the league this season.
Fans could have been forgiven for worrying that it wasn’t going to arrive, but as has happened countless times, City found a way to win in the most remarkable of fashions.
