By Samuel A. May 19, 2024
Manchester City have won a record breaking fourth Premier League title in a row after beating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season. Two spectacular goals from Premier League player of the season, Phil Foden, in the 79th second and the 18th minute put Manchester City on a two goal cushion and it seemed to be all but over after 20 minutes.
City looked set to cruise into the history books before an acrobatic bicycle kick from Mohammed Kudus pulled one back for the Hammers before halftime causing panic in the Manchester City camp and celebration at the emirates, who felt Manchester City could draw, giving them the chance to leapfrog them to the league title if they beat Everton. However, a goal from Rodri just before the hour mark left West Ham with a lot of work to do if they were to spoil Man City’s party. The London side had a couple of chances later on in the game, including Soucek’s goal which was disallowed for a handball, but Manchester City managed to get past them as they’ve been doing since the run-in started.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now the first English side to win four top flight titles in a row since the first edition of the football league started in 1888. This season ends with more disappointment for Arsenal who have finished second in the Premier League for the second year in a row. The Gunners beat Everton 2 – 1 at the Emirates Stadium but needed City to lose in order to lift the Premier League trophy.
They have finished two points behind Man City in a title race that went right to the final day of the season. It means Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, previously Guardiola’s assistant coach at Man City, will have to try again if he wants to knock his former employers off their perch. City supporters had attempted to run onto the pitch to celebrate during stoppage time as players encouraged them to remain in the stands this afternoon. However, the pitch was filled with the sky blue shirts of supporters after the final whistle blew and ended another successful Premier League campaign. It marks another historic year for City after they became only the second English side to win the Treble – lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies – last season.
Speaking on his contract which is due to expire in June 2025, Pep Guardiola said: “The reality is I’m closer to leaving than staying. We have talked with the club and my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season, but during the season we will talk, we will see”.
