• MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Stefan Ortega – 7. Pulled off a couple of excellent saves in the first half to maintain City’s lead. While the stand-in stopper’s distribution was sometimes wayward, he looked sharp between the sticks. Getty
    MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Stefan Ortega – 7. Pulled off a couple of excellent saves in the first half to maintain City’s lead. While the stand-in stopper’s distribution was sometimes wayward, he looked sharp between the sticks. Getty
  • Kyle Walker – 6. Not at his very best, having made a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes. He was the only man to play the full 90 minutes both in this game and against Real Madrid in the week, so some fatigue is understandable. Reuters
    Kyle Walker – 6. Not at his very best, having made a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes. He was the only man to play the full 90 minutes both in this game and against Real Madrid in the week, so some fatigue is understandable. Reuters
  • Aymeric Laporte – 7. Led the line well in the absence of Ruben Dias, making several vital blocks and interceptions throughout the game. The defender also contributed to build-up play in possession. PA
    Aymeric Laporte – 7. Led the line well in the absence of Ruben Dias, making several vital blocks and interceptions throughout the game. The defender also contributed to build-up play in possession. PA
  • Manuel Akanji – 7. Solid after being brought back into the heart of the City backline. The Swiss international was replaced by John Stones in the second half. AP
    Manuel Akanji – 7. Solid after being brought back into the heart of the City backline. The Swiss international was replaced by John Stones in the second half. AP
  • Sergio Gomez – 7. The left-back has barely played this season for Pep Guardiola but looked good in the inverted wing-back position. Promising signs. AP
    Sergio Gomez – 7. The left-back has barely played this season for Pep Guardiola but looked good in the inverted wing-back position. Promising signs. AP
  • Rico Lewis – 6. Started the game in midfield for the hosts, but often found himself inter-changing positions with Gomez. Looked tidy in possession and worked hard to recover the ball whenever it was lost. AP
    Rico Lewis – 6. Started the game in midfield for the hosts, but often found himself inter-changing positions with Gomez. Looked tidy in possession and worked hard to recover the ball whenever it was lost. AP
  • Kalvin Phillips – 7. Was inches away from grabbing his first Man City goal after hitting the post with a nicely directed header. The England man finished the game strongly after a bit of a slow start. Getty
    Kalvin Phillips – 7. Was inches away from grabbing his first Man City goal after hitting the post with a nicely directed header. The England man finished the game strongly after a bit of a slow start. Getty
  • Phil Foden – 8. A classy display from the 22-year-old, who looked a real threat whenever he got on the ball in the final third. Not quite as potent in front of goal, but a silky display all-round. AP
    Phil Foden – 8. A classy display from the 22-year-old, who looked a real threat whenever he got on the ball in the final third. Not quite as potent in front of goal, but a silky display all-round. AP
  • Cole Palmer – 7. Arguably the most impressive of City’s squad players who started, having assisted Alvarez’s opener. The young forward’s agility and close ball control caused plenty of issues for the Chelsea defence. EPA
    Cole Palmer – 7. Arguably the most impressive of City’s squad players who started, having assisted Alvarez’s opener. The young forward’s agility and close ball control caused plenty of issues for the Chelsea defence. EPA
  • Julian Alvarez – 8. The match winner. He deputised for Erling Haaland in the perfect way possible by scoring just 12 minutes into the game. The Argentine took his chance superbly, picking out the bottom corner to once again highlight his goalscoring ability. AFP
    Julian Alvarez – 8. The match winner. He deputised for Erling Haaland in the perfect way possible by scoring just 12 minutes into the game. The Argentine took his chance superbly, picking out the bottom corner to once again highlight his goalscoring ability. AFP
  • Riyad Mahrez – 6. Assisted Alvarez’s disallowed goal, which was ruled out due to a handball call against the Algerian. Lacked his usual end product on this occasion. Reuters
    Riyad Mahrez – 6. Assisted Alvarez’s disallowed goal, which was ruled out due to a handball call against the Algerian. Lacked his usual end product on this occasion. Reuters
  • SUBS: John Stones (for Akanji, 57’) – 7. Helped shore things up at the back for City in the last 30 minutes after Chelsea had a strong start to the second half. PA
    SUBS: John Stones (for Akanji, 57’) – 7. Helped shore things up at the back for City in the last 30 minutes after Chelsea had a strong start to the second half. PA
  • Erling Haaland (for Mahrez, 74’) – 6. Had a half chance to score not long after coming on, but the Premier League Golden Boot winner uncharacteristically dragged his effort wide. AP
    Erling Haaland (for Mahrez, 74’) – 6. Had a half chance to score not long after coming on, but the Premier League Golden Boot winner uncharacteristically dragged his effort wide. AP
  • Rodri (for Laporte, 78’) – 6. Kept things ticking over nicely for the hosts who were looking to close out the win. Another faultless display. Getty
    Rodri (for Laporte, 78’) – 6. Kept things ticking over nicely for the hosts who were looking to close out the win. Another faultless display. Getty
  • Kevin De Bruyne (for Gomez, 78’) – 7. Whipped in several dangerous deliveries during the final 10 minutes, although none of his teammates were able to properly capitalise on them. Getty
    Kevin De Bruyne (for Gomez, 78’) – 7. Whipped in several dangerous deliveries during the final 10 minutes, although none of his teammates were able to properly capitalise on them. Getty
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6. Could do very little to prevent Alvarez from handing the home side an early lead. That aside, the Spaniard did well to hold on to several shots that were on target. Getty
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6. Could do very little to prevent Alvarez from handing the home side an early lead. That aside, the Spaniard did well to hold on to several shots that were on target. Getty
  • Trevor Chalobah – 5. Struggled in the back three for Chelsea, getting caught in possession once or twice, while also being dragged out of position for the only goal of the game. One to forget. Getty
    Trevor Chalobah – 5. Struggled in the back three for Chelsea, getting caught in possession once or twice, while also being dragged out of position for the only goal of the game. One to forget. Getty
  • Thiago Silva – 7. Can be credited with keeping the score line at just 1-0, as without the Brazilian the result could have been an ugly one for Chelsea. His passing out from the back was especially impressive. Getty
    Thiago Silva – 7. Can be credited with keeping the score line at just 1-0, as without the Brazilian the result could have been an ugly one for Chelsea. His passing out from the back was especially impressive. Getty
  • Wesley Fofana – 4. The main culprit for Alverez’s goal, having given the ball away in a dangerous position. The defender also seemed to lack intensity at times, losing a couple of duels with City players. Getty
    Wesley Fofana – 4. The main culprit for Alverez’s goal, having given the ball away in a dangerous position. The defender also seemed to lack intensity at times, losing a couple of duels with City players. Getty
  • Cesar Azpilicueta – 5. Another Chelsea defender who was off the boil today. To his credit, the captain did look far more assured in the second period, even coming close to scoring in the final moments of the game. AP
    Cesar Azpilicueta – 5. Another Chelsea defender who was off the boil today. To his credit, the captain did look far more assured in the second period, even coming close to scoring in the final moments of the game. AP
  • Enzo Fernandez – 6. Showed glimpses of his star quality in spells, unlocking the City defence with some inch-perfect passes and through balls. With Chelsea struggling for possession, those moments were too infrequent, however. Getty
    Enzo Fernandez – 6. Showed glimpses of his star quality in spells, unlocking the City defence with some inch-perfect passes and through balls. With Chelsea struggling for possession, those moments were too infrequent, however. Getty
  • Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5. A largely anonymous display in midfield with the 27-year-old failing to stamp his authority on the game. He was subbed off with 10 minutes left to play. Reuters
    Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5. A largely anonymous display in midfield with the 27-year-old failing to stamp his authority on the game. He was subbed off with 10 minutes left to play. Reuters
  • Lewis Hall – 7. A real livewire down the left-hand side for Chelsea, especially going forward. The academy graduate forced a couple of tidy saves out of Ortega, all while tirelessly tracking back to assist Chalobah defensively. AFP
    Lewis Hall – 7. A real livewire down the left-hand side for Chelsea, especially going forward. The academy graduate forced a couple of tidy saves out of Ortega, all while tirelessly tracking back to assist Chalobah defensively. AFP
  • Conor Gallagher – 6. Looked sharp in the first half, even coming closest to scoring for the Blues after striking the post from close range. His influence waned as the game wore on, leading to him being replaced in the 70th minute. PA
    Conor Gallagher – 6. Looked sharp in the first half, even coming closest to scoring for the Blues after striking the post from close range. His influence waned as the game wore on, leading to him being replaced in the 70th minute. PA
  • Kai Havertz – 6. Almost got an assist after playing a through ball to Raheem Sterling in the first half. That was about as good as things got for the German who endured another frustrating game in front of goal. AFP
    Kai Havertz – 6. Almost got an assist after playing a through ball to Raheem Sterling in the first half. That was about as good as things got for the German who endured another frustrating game in front of goal. AFP
  • Raheem Sterling – 7. The former City man looked rejuvenated with the ball at his feet, even if his end product was still somewhat lacking. Sterling even triumphed where Vinicius Jr failed earlier this week – by beating Kyle Walker with a piece of skill. AFP
    Raheem Sterling – 7. The former City man looked rejuvenated with the ball at his feet, even if his end product was still somewhat lacking. Sterling even triumphed where Vinicius Jr failed earlier this week – by beating Kyle Walker with a piece of skill. AFP
  • SUBS: Mykhailo Mudryk (for Gallagher, 69’) – 6. Another forgettable cameo from the Ukrainian, who looked well off the pace. Reuters
    SUBS: Mykhailo Mudryk (for Gallagher, 69’) – 6. Another forgettable cameo from the Ukrainian, who looked well off the pace. Reuters
  • Noni Madueke (for Sterling, 69’) – 7. Added a real threat in the final 10 minutes for the visitors. Sadly, his smart crosses were squandered on this occasion. Reuters; Kalidou Koulibaly (for Hall, 81’) – N/A. Had a chance to score in added time but his header sailed well wide of Ortega’s post; Carney Chukwuemeka (for Loftus-Cheek, 81’) – N/A. The youngster came on for the final few minutes, having been held back from playing at the Under-20 FIFA World Cup earlier this week; Christian Pulisic (for Havertz, 85’) – N/A. Little of note to report.
    Noni Madueke (for Sterling, 69’) – 7. Added a real threat in the final 10 minutes for the visitors. Sadly, his smart crosses were squandered on this occasion. Reuters; Kalidou Koulibaly (for Hall, 81’) – N/A. Had a chance to score in added time but his header sailed well wide of Ortega’s post; Carney Chukwuemeka (for Loftus-Cheek, 81’) – N/A. The youngster came on for the final few minutes, having been held back from playing at the Under-20 FIFA World Cup earlier this week; Christian Pulisic (for Havertz, 85’) – N/A. Little of note to report.

Sport

Football

Man City v Chelsea player ratings: Alvarez 8, Foden 7; Sterling 7, Fofana 4

Manchester City celebrate third Premier League title in a row with 1-0 win over Blues at Etihad Stadium

Tom Fenton

May 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester City celebrated their latest Premier League title triumph with a straightforward 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing side had already been confirmed as champions for a fifth time in six seasons after Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

That meant the Etihad Stadium was in celebratory mood for the visit of the Blues and a much-changed side gave the fans another success to cheer courtesy of an early Julian Alvarez goal.

Chelsea had a few bright moments but City, without getting anywhere near the intensity with which they crushed Real Madrid in midweek, always seemed in control.

Fans had arrived to party in the sunshine and the ‘Poznan’ was seen on more than one occasion.

City were given a guard of honour by their opponents as they entered the field and they went on to knock the ball around with a such a swagger that – perhaps embarrassingly for a Chelsea side that aspires to the heights City have reached – it appeared the Londoners faced a long afternoon.

It seemed only a matter of time before the opening goal came and it arrived after 12 minutes as City seized possession in midfield and Cole Palmer picked out Alvarez in front of goal.

The Argentina World Cup winner took a touch and then emphatically drilled a shot across Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was City’s 100th home goal in all competitions this season.

  • Manchester City's Ilkay Guendogan lifts the Premier League trophy following the game against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on May 21, 2023. Getty
    Manchester City's Ilkay Guendogan lifts the Premier League trophy following the game against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on May 21, 2023. Getty
  • Manchester City players celebrate after the match. Getty
    Manchester City players celebrate after the match. Getty
  • City striker Erling Haaland celebrates with the trophy. Getty
    City striker Erling Haaland celebrates with the trophy. Getty
  • Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan celebrates with teammates. Reuters
    Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan celebrates with teammates. Reuters
  • Ilkay Guendogan lifts the Premier League trophy. Getty
    Ilkay Guendogan lifts the Premier League trophy. Getty
  • Ilkay Gundogan kisses the Premier League trophy. PA
    Ilkay Gundogan kisses the Premier League trophy. PA
  • Erling Haaland celebrates after the match. Reuters
    Erling Haaland celebrates after the match. Reuters
  • City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the Premier League trophy as he celebrates with teammates. Reuters
    City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the Premier League trophy as he celebrates with teammates. Reuters
  • City striker Erling Haaland celebrates after the match. Getty
    City striker Erling Haaland celebrates after the match. Getty
  • Julian Alvarez scores for City in their 1-0 win at the Etihad. Getty
    Julian Alvarez scores for City in their 1-0 win at the Etihad. Getty
  • City fans celebrate after the match. Getty
    City fans celebrate after the match. Getty
  • Manchester City fans on the pitch after the match. PA
    Manchester City fans on the pitch after the match. PA
  • City's Julian Alvarez celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP
    City's Julian Alvarez celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP
  • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. AFP
    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. AFP
  • City fans do 'the Poznan' celebration during the match. AFP
    City fans do 'the Poznan' celebration during the match. AFP
  • City substitute Erling Haaland shoots at goal. AFP
    City substitute Erling Haaland shoots at goal. AFP
  • Chelsea's Raheem Sterling misses a first-half chance. AFP
    Chelsea's Raheem Sterling misses a first-half chance. AFP
  • Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring for Manchester City. Getty
    Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring for Manchester City. Getty
  • Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. AFP
    Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. AFP
  • City attacker Phil Foden passes the ball. Getty
    City attacker Phil Foden passes the ball. Getty
  • Jack Grealish, left, talks to Erling Haaland on the Manchester City bench. AFP
    Jack Grealish, left, talks to Erling Haaland on the Manchester City bench. AFP
  • Chelsea give Manchester City players a guard of honour before the match. Reuters
    Chelsea give Manchester City players a guard of honour before the match. Reuters
  • Manchester City fans before the match. AP
    Manchester City fans before the match. AP
Updated: May 22, 2023, 2:47 AM
Manchester CityChelseaPremier LeaguePep Guardiola