Premier League defending champions, Manchester City on Sunday lifted their third league title in a row to make it six in total after defeating struggling Chelsea 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Coach Pep Guardiola had rested nine of his regular players, including this season’s league top scorer, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bryune in a game City had nothing to lose following Arsenal’s slip on Saturday at Nottingham Forest.
Despite playing the game with the second team, Guardiola’s men dominated the game and soon Julian Alvarez who stood in for Haaland provided the cutting edge in his absence with a clinical finish to put City ahead after 12 minutes, as their jubilant fans basked in warm sunshine waiting for the trophy presentations and celebrations.
Chelsea had some of the better chances as the game went on, with City’s deputy keeper Stefan Ortega saving from Raheem Sterling when clean through and Conor Gallagher heading against the post.
Kalvin Phillips headed against the woodwork for City as they closed out another win in the relentless run that has brought them the title and the chance of a Treble, with the FA Cup final at Wembley and Champions League final in Istanbul to come.
The hosts played with the pressure off after the title was secured and manager Guardiola was able to give members of his shadow squad game time on an occasion where most fans were simply waiting for the final whistle to hail their heroes.
Guardiola’s selection gave an illustration of the vast resources of talent he has at his disposal with simply a glance at City’s substitutes’ bench.
Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, Jack Grealish, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and goalkeeper Ederson were able to sit the game.
With a treble now on the cards, Manchester City will now turn their attention to Wembley for the FA Cup final and Istanbul for the UEFA Champions League final.
