Manchester City cemented their place in English football folklore with a dominant 3-1 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium, securing their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola’s men needed a win to hold off a determined Arsenal side lurking just two points behind. Phil Foden, England’s rising star, rose to the occasion, putting City ahead within two minutes and adding another before halftime.
West Ham, managed by the departing David Moyes, offered a flicker of hope through Mohammed Kudus’ spectacular overhead kick, but City remained resolute. Rodri, with a strike reminiscent of Guardiola’s Champions League-winning goal against Inter Milan, restored the two-goal advantage just before the hour mark.
A late scare ensued when West Ham had a goal disallowed for handball by VAR, but City’s victory was never truly in doubt. This win capped a remarkable run of 19 wins and 4 draws since their last league defeat in December.
City’s dominance is undeniable. They’ve now claimed six titles in the past seven seasons, equalling the record for consecutive titles previously set by Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United (twice). Guardiola’s men have achieved a feat unmatched since the league’s formation in 1888.
The celebrations will be short-lived, however, as City set their sights on a historic double. They face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on May 25th, aiming to become the first team to achieve back-to-back domestic doubles.
The shadow of the ongoing financial charges against City lingers. While Everton and Nottingham Forest faced point deductions for breaching financial regulations, City’s case remains unresolved.
Foden Shines: A Young Star on the Rise
Foden’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. Fresh off Player of the Year awards from the Football Writers’ Association and the Premier League, he’s a strong contender for the Professional Footballers’ Association award as well.
At just 23, Foden already boasts six league titles. While still far behind Ryan Giggs’ record of 13, Foden is steadily chipping away at the tally, especially considering City’s current dominance. Guardiola sees room for further improvement, but Foden’s all-around game is already impressive, with his close control and intelligent runs making him a nightmare for defenders.
His first goal showcased his talent: a single touch to evade James Ward-Prowse before coolly slotting home Bernardo Silva’s pass. His second, a first-time finish from a Jeremy Doku pass, further cemented his hero status.
Guardiola’s Insatiable Hunger for Victory
Guardiola acknowledged West Ham’s attacking potential before the match, but their attack, missing top scorer Jarrod Bowen, was largely ineffective. However, a glimpse of Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of victory came alive when Kudus pulled one back for West Ham. His animated reactions on the sidelines reflected his insatiable desire to win.
This latest triumph adds another league title to Guardiola’s impressive collection, bringing his total to 12 in 15 seasons as a manager. While his success is undeniably linked to the world-class squads he manages, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that other clubs with similar spending haven’t achieved the same level of dominance.
With Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool, Guardiola has undoubtedly won the personal battle between the two managerial giants in terms of silverware. In recent English football history, only Sir Alex Ferguson stands alongside Guardiola in the pantheon of managerial greats.
