Manchester City made Premier League history on Sunday by securing their fourth consecutive title with a victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
This achievement marked the first time any team in the history of England’s top flight has won four titles in a row, a testament to City’s dominance under manager Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola’s leadership has seen Manchester City win the Premier League six times in the last seven seasons.
In four of those triumphant campaigns, City accumulated over 90 points, with this season’s challenge coming from Arsenal, who sought their first title since 2003/04.
Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at the Etihad last month had briefly kept them ahead by one point with nine matches remaining.
However, City proved unstoppable, winning their final nine league games and netting 33 goals.
Guardiola admitted the team felt the pressure during a tense 2-0 win at Tottenham earlier in the week, which kept their title fate in their hands.
Two years ago, City needed a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on the final day to secure the title.
In contrast, the game against West Ham was straightforward, with the Hammers wilting under the hot Manchester sun in David Moyes’ final match as their manager.
Phil Foden, recently named football writers’ player of the year, quickly ended any suspense by scoring after just 79 seconds.
Foden’s powerful shot into the top corner set the tone, ensuring City fans could start celebrating early.
He added another goal within 20 minutes, finishing coolly from a Jeremy Doku cross, bringing his season tally to 27 goals.
City could have extended their lead further before halftime, but Alphonse Areola denied Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland missed a close-range opportunity.
Unexpectedly, West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus scored a stunning overhead kick from a corner, narrowing the gap just before halftime.
Despite a frustrating day for Haaland, who missed a chance to secure City’s two-goal advantage, he still claimed his second consecutive Golden Boot.
City reasserted control early in the second half, with Rodri scoring the decisive goal to dash Arsenal’s title hopes.
Rodri, a strong contender for player of the year, has not lost a match for club or country since March 2023.
City’s three Premier League defeats this season occurred during Rodri’s suspension.
Areola could have done better against Rodri’s effort, which ultimately sealed the victory.
Manchester City cruised to the season’s end, extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 35 matches, with only a penalty shootout loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals marring their run.
Next weekend, they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final, seeking to complete a domestic double.
City’s unprecedented league dominance cemented their claim as one of the greatest sides in English football history.
However, the title celebration had an anti-climactic twist as players urged fans to clear the pitch for the full-time whistle.
Despitefully the club’s appeals, thousands of fans flooded the field at the final whistle, prematurely starting the celebrations.
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