Manchester City begin Premier League celebration with win over Chelsea

Manchester City’s Premier League celebration continued into Sunday after beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Etihad.

City were confirmed as champions on Saturday following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Despite making nine changes to his starting XI, Guardiola’s side condemned the Blues to yet another loss.

The champions took the lead in the 12th minute when Julian Alvarez scored. Wesley Fofana gave possession away to Kalvin Phillips, who laid the ball off to Cole Palmer.

Palmer's perfect pass found Alvarez, who, after brilliantly freeing himself from his marker, scored.

The Argentine came close to making it 2-0 for City in the 15th minute, but his shot was blocked. The rebound fell on Riyad Mahrez, but his effort was deflected behind.

Another chance that almost resulted in a goal came in the 24th minute when Phil Foden slid the ball behind Cesar Azpilicueta for Palmer, who fired a low shot across goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga attempted to dive and collect the ball, but Trevoh Chalobah got back and cleared it away.

Chelsea lost a chance to equalize a minute before the hour mark when Lewis Hall’s goal-bound drive was punched back into play by Stefan Ortega. Kai Havertz was close to getting the rebound, but the hosts survived.

Alvarez thought he had doubled City’s lead in the 71st minute with a simple tap-in into an empty net. Mahrez skipped to the byline and pulled the ball back for the youngster.

The referee had to consult the VAR for a possible handball on Mahrez in the build-up to the goal, and the goal was thereafter ruled out after the video assessment.

Alvarez could have stretched City’s lead in the 87th minute, but he hammered the ball over the crossbar at close range.