Manchester City have said their goalkeeper Ederson will miss the title-deciding match at home to West Ham United, as well as the FA Cup final a week later, after fracturing an eye socket in the win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.
Ederson suffered the injury in a collision with Cristian Romero in the second half of the 2-0 win that returned Man City to the top of the table and kept control of their title challenge in their hands.
“The Brazilian goalkeeper suffered the injury during our 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening,” City said on their official website. “He has since undergone scans of the affected area that have revealed a small fracture to the right eye socket.
“The injury will prevent Ederson from playing any further part in the remaining games of the 2023/24 season. Everyone at the Club wishes Ederson a speedy recovery.”
Substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega came on to replace Ederson on Tuesday – the fourth time that has happened this season - and made some crucial saves, none as important as the one-on-one stop he made from Son Heung-min in the 86th minute that kept City in the lead and drew praise from his manager.
“He defined, I would say, how the team is a team,” Pep Guardiola said of his German 'keeper. “Ortega saved the actions otherwise Arsenal will be champions.
“He has this talent. In one-on-ones, he is one of the best 'keepers I’ve ever seen in my life.
“It’s the German culture, stand up, don’t go down, it’s really, really good. He’s played in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Ederson has four times setback for injuries. He’s so reliable and an incredible 'keeper. The club made an incredible decision to bring him here.”
Man City need to beat West Ham to claim a fourth successive title, or match Arsenal's result at home to Everton.