Man City have a hidden Premier League title advantage to hold off Liverpool FC

A 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday means that Manchester City will likely have to beat Aston Villa on the final day to clinch the Premier League title.

A win in London would have left Pep Guardiola's side needing just a draw next weekend to win a fourth title in five seasons, but unless Liverpool lose to Southampton on Tuesday, a win is the only result that will guarantee top spot.

With Liverpool breathing down City's necks, the pressure could well and truly be on. But, if it does go down to the final day, then City will look to make use of a key psychological advantage they hold over their rivals.

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Unlike Jurgen Klopp's side, City have been here before - in fact, they have already experienced a near identical situation.

As they may do this season, in 2018/19 City went into the final day of the campaign just one point ahead of Liverpool in the standings, with a not-unassailable goal difference advantage of four.

As is the case this year Liverpool finished with a home assignment against Wolves, while City made the long trip down to the south coast to face Brighton. The Reds had the clarity of mind of knowing they had to win, whereas City were under immense pressure not to slip up.

Just before the half hour mark the pressure appeared to take its toll, when Brighton took the lead when Ederson and Oleksandr Zinchenko failed to deal with an in-swinging corner. The City fans inside the Amex Stadium and back home feared a return of typical City, but the Blues stuck to their plan are drew level almost immediately.

Less than a minute later Sergio Aguero fired City level, running onto David Silva's delightful flick and smashing the ball past Matt