Manchester City celebrate Premier League title with easy win against Chelsea

MANCHESTER, England — manchester city celebrated his Premier league title on sunday with a comfortable 1-0 win on chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

With the trophy already in the bag thanks to Arsenalthe 1-0 defeat in nottingham forest On Saturday, Pep Guardiola took the opportunity to rest several of his stars, but an early goal from Julián Álvarez was enough to win the game.

– Broadcast on ESPN+: The league, bundesliga and more (US)

City fans, who poured onto the pitch at the final whistle, spent most of the day celebrating their fifth title in six years, but Guardiola can’t afford much time for celebration. The City manager will now look to refocus his players on the quest for the FA Cup and Champions League, hoping to complete what would be an historic treble.

quick reaction

1. Álvarez shows the strength of champion City

There are many reasons why City have won the title this season, but among them is Álvarez. The striker, signed at River Plate for less than 15 million pounds last January, has had to be Erling HaalandThe support act for most of his first year in England, but he has still contributed to 18 goals, including one here against Chelsea.

The 23-year-old was one of ArgentinaThe best players of the World Cup — score twice in the semifinal against Croatia — and would make most of the other teams in the world. At City he has had to be patient and make the most of the opportunities that have come his way. He was on the field for only a few minutes against real Madrid on Wednesday, but still scored the fourth goal to cap an irresistible performance from the team.

However it ends, Álvarez is unlikely to forget the 2022-23 season quickly. In December, he was proclaimed world champion together with Lionel Messi in Qatar, and has already added a Premier League winners’ medal to his trophy case. He could still end the campaign with the FA Cup and Champions League as well, turning City’s potential treble into his own personal club/country quad.

2. Guardiola facing two cup finals

This probably wasn’t the team Guardiola planned to pick when he thought victory over Chelsea would seal the title, but Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday night meant he could have an early lead ahead of trips to Wembley and Istanbul.

He made nine changes from the XI that knocked down Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, with only kyle walker and manuel akanji keeping their places. calvin phillips made his first Premier League start since playing for united leeds against brentford a year ago, while the goalkeeper Stephen Ortegadefender Sergio Gómez and striker cole palmer They were also recruited. Guardiola said the changes were to reward his team’s players with the minutes “they deserve” but it’s hard to imagine he didn’t have his eye on the FA Cup final against manchester united and the Champions League final against Inter.

It will be interesting to see how Guardiola manages his squad over the next two weeks before they face United at Wembley on June 3. You don’t want to risk it kevin debruyne and Erling Haaland in the next two league games against Brighton and Brentford, but he also won’t want key players to miss a beat ahead of two crucial games.

It will be a balancing act between giving his first team enough minutes, but not too many, to be ready for the challenges ahead. Not a bad problem to have.

3. Pochettino’s task set at the Etihad

It seems likely that Mauricio Pochettino is the man tasked with rebuilding Chelsea and he needs to find a quick solution. He will inherit a team on course to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table for the first time since 1996 and is immediately expected to fight for a top four finish, at least.

Chelsea have scored just 36 league goals this season, fewer than Leeds and Leicester, and Pochettino will need a striker, either Romelu Lukaku or someone else. But as well as adding new players to an already bloated squad, he will also have to repair morale in the dressing room after what has been a humiliating season.

Giving City’s B-team an honor guard before the game will have stung, but it will also have caused them to lose the game on a day when Guardiola clearly had one eye on the FA Cup and Champions League finals. Chelsea are among the group of teams that Guardiola considers to be true rivals in the Premier League, but based on this evidence, the gap between the two clubs is huge. It’s turning out to be a sorry end to a sorry season and Pochettino has a big job on his hands.

Best and worst performers

BETTER

Julian Alvarez, FW, Man City: He got his goal right with a precise shot and had a second goal disallowed by VAR.

Kalvin Phillips, MF, Manchester City: It’s been a frustrating season on the sidelines, but he seemed safe rather than Rodri in the center of midfield.

Stefan Ortega, GK, Manchester City: The substitute goalkeeper made two good saves, first of sterling rahim and then a Conor Gallagher header.

WORST

Wesley FofanaFD, Chelsea: He made a horrible, aimless pass into midfield that allowed City to score through Álvarez.

Kai HavertzFW, Chelsea: Fortunately, he only received one yellow card for a terror tackle on Phillips in the first half.

Cesar Azpilicueta, DF, Chelsea: The winger looked very old chasing Palmer, Álvarez and Phil Foden around the field.

Highlights and Highlights

City started the day in the best possible way, receiving a traditional guard of honor from their opponents in recognition of being league champions.

Champions Manchester City receive an Honor Guard from Chelsea. 👏

📺: @USANetwork | #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/YC6PMfDH7V

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 21, 2023

Álvarez has made the most of his minutes this season and Sunday’s well-spent goal was no exception.

Julián Álvarez scores early for the Champions League! 🕸

📺: @USANetwork | #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/xRbceEmngM

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 21, 2023

After the game: What the coaches and players had to say

“It was a great feeling. I was happy because we won the league and I knew there might be a chance to play. I have enjoyed every moment.

“It’s been incredibly tough this season and probably the lowest point confidence-wise in my career, but Kyle Walker and the guys kept me going and told me I’d get my chance. I’ve tried to be as fit as possible and always I have the opportunity, I try to do my best”. — Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips to Sky Sports

“We always believed we could do this. This group of lads are professionals and winners. Rest assured, we’re not done. We have the FA Cup against our bitter rivals and then the Champions League. We’ll celebrate tonight and then move on to try.” “. and create history.

“The treble would be fantastic, but there’s a lot of football to play for. To say we’re up there with one of the greatest Premier League teams of all time, we have to conquer some of that. To go and achieve that, we must then It could start to talk about being one of the best teams in the Premier League.” — Kyle Walker, Manchester City defender, to Sky Sports

Key statistics (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)

– Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 44 Premier League games in which they led at half time. They last lost when leading at half time to Chelsea on 8 May 2021 (led 1-0 at half time, lost 2-1).

– City have won 41 of the last 44 games they have led at half-time.

– This is Manchester City’s sixth consecutive win against Chelsea (all competitions), and they have beaten Chelsea 10-0 during the run.

Until next time

City of Manchester: Guardiola’s side will close out the Premier League season with two games over the next seven days, visiting Brighton (Wednesday) and then Brentford (May 28).

Chelsea: The Blues also have two league games left this week, visiting Man United on Thursday in a game with top-four implications (for United, anyway) before ending the 2022-23 campaign against Newcastle on May 28. .