Man City 1-0 Chelsea: Champions make it easier for Blues as title party continues
Julian Alvarez scored the only goal and saw a second sent off in the second half, as Pep Guardiola made nine changes to his side after watching Arsenal’s latest loss give them the title before kicking a ball away.
It was a 12th straight win for City, who now have 88 points from 36 games, seven more than Arsenal who have played 37 games. Frank Lampard’s Chelsea are 12th with 43 points and one game remaining, meaning they will record the worst points tally in the Premier League.
Alvarez scored in the 12th minute for a largely second-string City side, slipping the ball under goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from a pass from Kyle Walker. He scored another goal for a handball in the build-up.
With nothing at stake on Sunday and two huge games on the horizon – the FA Cup and Champions League finals – Pep Guardiola left his big guns, including goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland, on the bench for most of the game. City still dominated, proving they were a well-oiled machine no matter which parts the mastermind manager has to work with.
City were crowned champions for the third successive season and fifth in six years a day earlier than expected when Arsenal’s 1-0 loss dashed any hopes the Londoners could catch up with them.
The Sunday atmosphere was festive. Chelsea sportingly gave City players, who had watched Arsenal’s game together the previous evening, a guard of honor before kick-off as thousands of supporters rushed onto the pitch after kick-off. final whistle.
Haaland was a late substitute and did not extend his record of 36 goals in a single Premier League season.
Additional Reuters reporting.
Sports standard
