Manchester City celebrated their title victory with a routine win against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea gave City a guard of honour before kick-off, as Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday ensured Pep Guardiola’s men were champions for the fifth time in six seasons. Guardiola made nine changes from the side that had beaten Real Madrid on Wednesday, and it was World Cup winner Julian Alvarez that put the home side ahead within 12 minutes as they pounced on a loose ball for the Argentine to fire home. Raheem Sterling, returning to the Etihad for the first time since his departure, had a golden chance to equalise but was denied by Stefan Ortega. Kalvin Phillips, making his first Premier League start for City since joining in a £55m deal from Leeds United last summer, came close to doubling City’s lead on the hour mark but he was denied by the post after meeting Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick. Alvarez thought he had his brace in the 73rd minute but the goal was disallowed after Mahrez was adjudged to have used a hand in the build-up.
At full-time, City let their hair down to celebrate becoming the second club in Premier League history to win three in a row. Thousands of fans invaded the pitch and Ilkay Gundogan lifted the trophy, on what could be his final home appearance for the club. Each City player was introduced individually as Guardiola was the first to take to the podium. With finals against Manchester United and Inter Milan to come in the FA Cup and Champions League respectively, City have to keep their focus if they’re to pull off a historic treble.
