Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0 – Player Ratings
Julian Alvarez scored a goal after just 12 minutes into this formality of their final home Premier League game of the season, against Chelsea, before they were crowned Champions.
Alvarez had a goal ruled out in the second half while both sides hit the woodwork during a game that City’s second string dominated with ease.
Chelsea haven’t been their usual selves this season but they have the players to come back next season under new and more focused management, but that’s a story for another year as City celebrated their third Premier League title in a row.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
Stefan Ortega: 7. Denied Raheem Sterling twice on a relatively busy day but was fortunate that Conor Gallagher hit the post.
Kyle Walker: 6. Relaxed afternoon for the right back who was one of only two players retained from Wednesday’s Champions League epic. Had to watch out for ex-team mate Raheem Sterling after an early tactical switch by Chelsea.
Manuel Akanji: 6. Relatively easy game, given a rest before the hour mark as he’s been played a lot lately.
Aymeric Laporte: 6. Another decent run out, kept Raheem Sterling occupied in the second half and then looked after Mykhailo Mudryk.
Sergio Gomez: 6. Good going forward, was up against Conor Gallagher towards the end of the first half.
Rico Lewis: 7. Comfortable with a straight midfield role alongside Kalvin Phillips. Switched to left back late on.
Kalvin Phillips: 7. Some good passes from his deep role. Had a header come off the post.
Phil Foden: 7. A more central berth behind Julian Alvarez, had some glorious chances including a chance to chip Kepa from the right.
Riyad Mahrez: 6. Could have scored early on. Thought he had provided the second goal after a cross from the right but it was ruled out by
Cole Palmer: 7. Good vision to pick up Julian Alvarez for the opening goal and had plenty of chances to get the ball in from the left, giving Cesar Azpilicueta a hard time.
Julian Alvarez: 7. Brilliant finish to start City’s day of celebration. Had a tap-in in the second half but it was ruled out.
John Stones (on for Manuel Akanji, 57): 6. Big cheer when he came on. Cleared off the line when Raheem Sterling was clean through, and flagged offside seconds later. Dealt with Mudryk after Sterling went off.
Erling Haaland (on for Riyad Mahrez, 74): 6. Slid the ball across the box but it was too far ahead of Rico Lewis. Prodigious leap late in the game to get an overhit cross he had no right to reach.
Kevin De Bruyne (on for Sergio Gomez, 78): No time to mark.
Rodri (on for Aymeric Laporte, 78): Centre half role. No time to mark.
GOAL – Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
Man City 1, Chelsea 0: 12. Wesley Fofana gave the ball away, Cole Palmer got the through ball to Julian Alvarez who tucked it away under Kepa Arrizabalaga.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
Man City: Ortega, Walker, Akanji (Stones 57), Laporte (Rodri 81), Gomez (De Bruyne 81), Lewis, Phillips, Foden, Mahrez (Haaland 74), Palmer, Alvarez
Man City Subs not used: Ederson, Dias, Gundogan, Grealish, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva
Goal: Alvarez 12
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Azpilicueta, Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek (Chukwuemeka 81), Hall (Koulibaly 81), Gallagher (Mudryk 69), Havertz (Pulisic 85), Sterling (Madueke 69)
Chelsea Subs not used: Mendy, Joao Felix, Ziyech, David Datro Fofana
Bookings: Havertz 18 (foul on Kalvin Phillips); Fernandez 66 (foul on Sergio Gomez)
Referee: Michael Oliver