Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho was left overwhelmed by the success of his debut season in the premier league and hailed outgoing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and the fans following their unbelievable support.
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Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho was relieved that his side took the point they needed at Swansea to all but confirm Champions League qualification for next season.
Teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho got City off to a flying start with an early goal at the Liberty Stadium but Andre Ayew’s equaliser just before half-time ensured a nervy last stand for Pellegrini in the club’s final game of the season.
Pellegrini said: “One of the most hard things was after they announced that this club would change next season”.
“I have said many times that it is important to win titles, but it is also important the style with which you win them and I am very proud that again we scored the most goals”.
However, the score remained locked at 1-1 at the full-time whistle, as City clinch a point and the final Champions League spot.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is taking over at City, and his goal will be to win a Champions League title – something that has never been accomplished by the club.
Juan Mata has insisted that it was a lack of consistency that cost Manchester United a return to the Champions League. Despite resting several key players, they were sharp from start to finish and it was important that a couple of key players showed glimpses of their better form as Ki Sung-Yueng and Bafetimbi Gomis both found the net.
“If you look at what United did when they were successful, and any Premier League team that does well, they have three or four players of that ilk in their side”.
It will be the final game in charge of City for manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has won three trophies in three years at the club.
“I felt emotional”, he said.
He said: “It was not simple in January but now we are in a comfortable position and I am proud not only for me but for my players. So I think he will receive a club he deserves, and I am sure that this club will continue improving in the future”.
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Victory for Bournemouth, whose first season in the top flight has been a success, would lift them two places to 14th. “Maybe we didn’t play well, but only difference with Real Madrid [in the semi-final] was an own goal in our goal”.
