Manchester City celebrated their Premier League title triumph with a 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
Julian Alvarez scored the goal early in the game and had another ruled out for a handball by Riyad Mahrez in the build-up. Although Conor Gallagher hit the post for Frank Lampard’s struggling side, one goal was enough to take City seven points clear at the top.
With Pep Guardiola making nine changes to the team that dismantled Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, this was far from City’s strongest side but they still played the slicker football. Chelsea are now certain to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
The breakthrough goal came when Wesley Fofana gifted City possession with a poor pass and Cole Palmer’s precision pass found Alvarez. The Argentine produced a composed finish to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga and really start the party inside the stadium.
Palmer had a chance of his own soon after and Phil Foden also went close, his looping effort drifting just wide after being put through by a fine Kalvin Phillips pass. The midfielder looked assured in what was his long-awaited first Premier League start for the club.
It must have been galling for Chelsea to find themselves being outplayed by City’s back-up players but they did have their moments. Raheem Sterling had a shot saved by Stefan Ortega when clean through, while Gallagher struck the post with a header.
Phillips hit the post at the other end and Raheem Sterling had a shot cleared off the line by John Stones as the tempo slowed in the second half. There was no second goal even if Alvarez thought he had it, referee Michael Oliver needing a VAR check to rule it out.
City did not need another. In this game, as in the season as a whole, it turns out they were just too good. The supporters celebrated with a pitch invasion. The team with a trophy lift. As the banner brought onto the pitch read, one down and two to go. The treble is on.