Newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City celebrated their title triumph with a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League title was secured without kicking a ball following Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola rested most of his best players and still watched Manchester City ease past Chelsea as they marked their title coronation with a 12th consecutive Premier League win.
Julian Alvaraz gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead early in the match and they were never remotely tested by a disappointing Chelsea side who are desperate for the season to end.
City dominated the early proceedings, cutting through Chelsea at will and getting into dangerous areas, Eurosport reports.
Pep Guardiola’s side found the breakthrough after 12 minutes thanks to Julian Alvarez. Cole Palmer burst through the middle before feeding a great pass into Alvarez who calmly brought the ball under his spell before lashing his effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea forced Stefan Ortega into making his first big save after 32 minutes when he extended his arm to push Raheem Sterling’s effort wide of the target.
Five minutes later Frank Lampard’s side went close to an equaliser when Conor Gallagher’s header cannoned off the post.
It was Manchester City’s turn to strike the woodwork in the 57th minute when Kalvin Phillips’ effort rattled the post to deny him what would have been his first goal for City.
City thought they had made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute when Alvarez stroked his effort home but the goal was disallowed for a handball by Riyad Mahrez in the build up.
Guardiola made several changes late in the game, bringing on the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Erling Haaland but it was City’s supporting cast who got the job done.
Manchester City have now won four consecutive matches against Chelsea in the Premier League – all four matches ended 1-0.
