Manchester City Clinches 4th Consecutive Premier League Victory as Arsenal Finishes Second
Manchester City has once again demonstrated their Premier League dominance by securing their sixth title in the last seven seasons.
The Premier League title was secured by Manchester City for the fourth consecutive year following a convincing 3-1 victory over West Ham United. Once again defeating Arsenal to win the league, Pep Guardiola’s City increased their lead in the standings. They made Premier League history by being the first team to win the championship four times in a row.
For a considerable amount of time, there was a three-way fight for the title, with Liverpool and Arsenal leading in the first half. However, City gained momentum at the appropriate moment and passed them in the standings to win their sixth league title in the previous seven years.
On the last day of the season, Arsenal had some optimism, but City put on a brilliant display in front of a packed Etihad Stadium. Conversely, Mikel Arteta’s team appeared a little out of practice in their matchup with Everton. Even though Kai Havertz scored a late goal to give them a victory, it was insufficient to secure the championship. The final difference between the two teams was just two points.
After just two minutes, City had their first goal on the scoreboard, and it was scored by none other than Phil Foden, the Premier League Player of the Season, who sent the ball past Alphonse Areola.
In the eighteenth minute, the English sensation scored once more, giving him a brace and assisting City in establishing their dominance.
While Mohammed Kudus gave West Ham and Arsenal supporters some hope in the 42nd minute with a huge comeback, City showed why they have been among the league’s most dominant teams for the last ten years.
In the 59th minute, Rodri scored a goal to virtually guarantee City the victory and the title. Since March 2023, the Spaniard has never lost for either his country or his club. The three Premier League games in which the 27-year-old was suspended were City’s only three losses.
Areola had a chance to score this time, but the Frenchman was unable to convert Rodri’s meek attempt.
From open play, City could easily win and extend an incredible 35-game unbeaten record across all competitions.
Erling Haaland, the goal machine, had a somewhat boring game despite missing a few excellent opportunities, but Guardiola won’t be too upset about it given the league’s conclusion.
Ten Premier League titles for City, their sixth under Guardiola.
The lone setback to the previous season’s treble champions’ dominance in all competitions came from a Champions League quarterfinal loss to Real Madrid via penalty shootout, which kept Guardiola’s team from winning back-to-back titles.
Next Saturday, when Manchester United faces the difficult task of defeating their local rivals in the FA Cup final, they may double that success.
Also Read: History-Chasing Manchester City Pursue Premier League Triumph 2023-24
Even when they’re not playing at their best, Manchester City still leave their mark
There was a sense that the Premier League season would finish as it always did after Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of Aston Villa last month. It became more intense following Phil Foden’s outburst ninety seconds into Sunday’s Manchester City vs. West Ham championship match. Manager of City Pep Guardiola raised his arms in the air a second time after Foden scored again. It was eighteen minutes into the match.
A sixth Premier League triumph felt very close, but Mohammed Kudus of West Ham and Arsenal gave fans a jolt before history was made with a 3-1 victory—how fitting that Rodri would score on the last day—which solidified Manchester City’s fourth consecutive trophy. While the stain of 115 claims of financial malfeasance will remain for the time being, the phrase “Sweet dreams are made of these” that was played over the stadium’s public address system at halftime seemed to be a celebration message.
Quantities convey the breadth and depth of City’s accomplishments. They have won eight league titles in total, including six in the last seven seasons. Throughout that period, they have won 175 of 228 Premier League games and averaged 93 points each season.
Similar to the previous season, they finished with 28 wins, which is four fewer than the total they had in 2017–18 and 2018–19, when they scored 100 and 98 points, respectively. This is evidence that even though City wasn’t playing at their best on Sunday, they still managed to score 91 points, even though it didn’t look that way for the majority of the game.
Real Madrid has been doing just that in the most recent Champions League editions. Although a 38-round league and tournament have very different dynamics than cheese and chutney, City has managed to win or draw games this season. This brings us to yet another statistic: in the last 23 Premier League games and 34 overall, City has not lost.
One reason is squad strength, best exemplified by Stefan Ortega. The goalkeeper only made seven league starts in the previous two years, but after taking Ederson’s place due to injury, he won player of the match against Tottenham Hotspur by stretching out his right leg to Son Heung-min. City is not a team known for its depth; after all, it invested £100 million on Jack Grealish and gave him a season to develop.
This term, what seemed novel was how someone stepped forward every time. particularly following their victory in the December Club World Cup. Over a four-game stretch, City lost to Villa and drew with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur. These kinds of form dips are not abnormal. It may seem strange how City defeated them.
While Brighton, Wolves, and Fulham all had their moments, City took the lead in goals. In seven of their last eight games, they scored goals within the first fifteen minutes. City trailed Crystal Palace until Kevin De Bruyne scored with a gleeful angular kick, which allowed City to overwhelm their opponents.
Josko Gvardiol, who was frequently utilized as a left back, scored five goals in eight games. De Bruyne scored his maiden league header goal with a diving header against Brighton. The fact that Foden was named player of the season shows how much he has improved as a defensive player and how he can now win games by himself.
Manchester United supporters won’t soon forget Foden’s masterful performance in March. And neither will supporters of West Ham. Similar to his second goal against Manchester United, Foden got his opening goal by cutting in and shooting with his left foot. Foden scored his second goal of the season and his 18th overall in the league with a deft first touch from a more central position.
Erling Haaland responded to growing criticism of his lack of defensive play by scoring nine goals in his next six games. In seven he could have achieved double digits with a little more good fortune and touch.
Among City’s outfield players, the Norwegian still receives the fewest touches, but the debate over his lack of production has subsided. It would have felt as out of place as Haaland swooping in to make a goalline save, considering that he has won his second Golden Boot (27 goals in 31 games) in as many seasons.
Arsenal exerted constant pressure, ending a record of seven straight losses at Etihad and preventing City from scoring at home for the first time in 58 games. Liverpool nearly made history by winning this final day race in three legs for the first time since 1971–1972, but Kudus’ incredible scissors kick was largely ineffective beyond breaking Guardiola’s water bottle. Like Liverpool in 2018–19, Arsenal discovered that their greatest efforts were insufficient.
Guardiola, according to De Bruyne, is the most crucial player in this team. He has remained effective because he has undergone significant adjustment since Barcelona stunned the world with possession and false nines. City is a focal point in Haaland and has more physical strength throughout the pitch. Jurgen Klopp refers to Guardiola as the greatest coach in the world for a reason.
