Manchester City claims historical fourth consecutive English Premier League crown, triumphing over West Ham on the last game day and edging past Arsenal.
Ultimately, the climax of Premier League's last day lasted less than a minute, with Phil Foden's superb early goal propelling Manchester City towards a satisfying 3-1 victory over West Ham, securing the team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
With two points in their favor ahead of the finale, City knew that a win was necessary to retain the title over Arsenal, who had a shot at winning and demanding a draw or loss from their rivals.
Foden's goal obliterated any significance of the events happening 200 miles south in London, as Arsenal battled right until the bitter end with a 2-1 triumph against Everton, trailing City by a painful two points.
"We've made our own history, no team has done this before," Foden, crowned Premier League's Player of the Season, told Sky Sports after the match. "This title means something special to us and the fans. I'm lost for words, I'm exhausted."
Foden, just 23 years old, has now won an astonishing six Premier League trophies. The achievement is indeed not lost on him.
"I'll never tire of this feeling," he continued. "That feeling of winning is the best one around. I just want to keep winning as much as I can."
A peaceful stroll in the sun
Foden's dazzling strike, a left-footed rocket into the top corner, alleviated any jitters - if there were any - at a frenzied Etihad Stadium. The following 88 minutes and 49 seconds were more akin to a casual leisurely stroll admiring the sunshine, as Manchester City's supporters and players reveled in the sun-drenched Manchester atmosphere.
Born and bred in Manchester, Foden was living the dream, netting the decisive goal for his hometown side and clinching the title. It only got better after that.
A mere 15 minutes later, Jeremy Doku's perfect cross miraculously threaded through three West Ham players, finding Foden, who calmly fired the ball into the back of the net.
West Ham midfielder Kudus, a stellar first-season debutant, briefly raised questions with his audacious bicycle kick, reducing City's edifice to one goal.
At the same time, in the north of London, Everton took the lead five minutes before the break, but Arsenal bounced back promptly to level the scores before the interval.
Nevertheless, any fears of West Ham spoiling the party were quashed just past the ten-minute mark of the second half, as Rodri's low strike from the edge of the area curled under the fingertips of West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and found the back of the net.
The trophy was settled. The Premier League trophy was staying in Manchester.
As the game entered its final stretches, Manchester City fans celebrated with "the Poznań," standing arm-in-arm and jumping up and down with their backs to the pitch.
"There will be many more Poznan's this season!" dictated the Etihad Stadium announcer before the match, and they were certainly not wrong.
Late into the season, Arsenal did manage to secure a winner against Everton thanks to Kai Havertz in the 89th minute, but it hardly helped their cause.
A triumphant rendition of "Blue Moon," City's club anthem, reverberated around the stadium as the referee blew the final whistle amid passionate cheers from the home fans. A vast sea of supporters poured onto the pitch, engulfed in blue smoke from flares.
Under Guardiola's masterful leadership, Manchester City has constructed one of, if not the best, squads in the history of the Premier League.
Manchester City has now ventured where no English football team has ever been before, and it will likely take a monumental challenge from Arsenal, or possibly Liverpool under Klopp's successor, to unseat this unstoppable force.
Read also:
- Prodigies of sport: Littler's predecessors
- Nagelsmann's announcement: A restless Christmas for national team players
- What sports fans prefer to watch on television
- The calm before the upheaval: Nagelsmann's European Championship plans
Despite their historic victory, Manchester City fans couldn't resist their love for football and started celebrating "the Poznan," a famous chant and dance, when the game entered its final stages.
Foden's footballing journey in Manchester continued to shine as he celebrated yet another title victory with his hometown team, Manchester City.
Source: edition.cnn.com
