Alvarez hits winner as champions beat Chelsea

Manchester City celebrated a third straight Premier League title success with a 1-0 win over Chelsea in a festive atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side were confirmed as champions for the fifth time in six seasons prior to even setting foot on the pitch after Nottingham Forest's victory over Arsenal on Saturday. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the Citizens' boss opted to make nine changes to the side that thumped Real Madrid midweek to reach the Champions League final.

Erling Haaland dropped to the bench, but in his absence Argentina striker Julian Alvarez slotted in superbly and his clinical finish after 12 minutes, from a Cole Palmer pass, proved to be the only goal of the game. 

With City on autopilot and their fans basking in the glow of another league title, there was a sense of the match playing second fiddle to the trophy presentations and celebrations that were to follow it. 

Visitors Chelsea did create some chances as the game wore on and City's deputy keeper Stefan Ortega saved from Raheem Sterling when clean through and Conor Gallagher headed against the woodwork - although City midfielder Kalvin Phillips also saw his header hit the frame of the goal.

As it was, the hosts managed the game to seal another three points - City minds perhaps turning to their chances of a Treble, with the FA Cup final against Man Utd at Wembley and a Champions League final against Inter in Istanbul still to come.

22/23 PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!! 🏆

3️⃣-IN-A-ROW!!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hPdh0FZTss

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 20, 2023