The Premier League victors beat Chelsea 1-0.
Manchester City celebrated their latest Premier League title triumph with a straightforward 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s promotion-chasing side were confirmed as champions for the fifth time in six seasons after Arsenal’s defeat by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
It meant the Etihad Stadium was in celebratory mood for the visit of the Blues and a much-changed side gave the fans further success as they rejoiced at Julian Alvarez’s early goal.
Chelsea had a few bright moments but City, without approaching the intensity with which they crushed Real Madrid in midweek, always seemed to be in control.
Fans arrived to party in the sun and ‘Poznań’ was seen on more than one occasion.
City received a guard of honor from their opponents when they entered the pitch and proceeded to knock the ball around with such swagger that – perhaps embarrassingly for a Chelsea side aspiring to the heights City have reached – it looked like the Londoners were in for a long afternoon.
It seemed only a matter of time before the opener would come and it came after 12 minutes when City seized possession in midfield and Cole Palmer picked out Alvarez in front of goal.
Argentina’s World Cup winner took a touch and then fired emphatically past Kepu Arrizabalaga. It was City’s 100th home goal in all competitions this season.
Chelsea looked good off the pace, as they did during what was a depressing end to the season under interim boss Frank Lampard.
Former City striker Raheem Sterling tried to rouse them. The England international twice got behind the City defense but failed to pick out a team-mate the first time and then had a shot saved by Stefan Ortega.
Conor Gallagher then went closer when he headed against the post from Lewis Hall’s cross.
Still, City always seemed to be in command and Phil Foden was just wide of the target with a chipped effort and Kalvin Phillips, finally getting his first league start for the champions, went wide.
Phillips was inches away from scoring after the break when he met Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick with a hard header but it deflected off the post.
At the other end, Hall and Sterling both took shots at Ortega. Sterling had another effort cleared off the line by City substitute John Stones, although it was flagged for offside anyway.
Alvarez thought he had added a second with just under 20 minutes remaining but Mahrez controlled the ball with his arm before teeing up the Argentine.
With it being City’s last home game of the season, star pair Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were handed a blackout in the latter stages. Rodri also came off the bench as City wrapped up their 12th straight Premier League win.
Thousands of fans stormed the pitch after the final whistle and delayed the trophy presentation.
After the celebrations, City have further league games at Brighton and Brentford before next month’s FA Cup and Champions League finals.
