MAN CITY 3, WEST HAM 1
There is seemingly no limits to their exploits as Manchester City created footballing history by becoming the first male team to win four successive top-flight titles.
Never before has a side captured four championships in a row … and that goes back to 1888 when the Football League was formed.
That underlined the enormity of City’s achievement as they have landed six titles in seven seasons.
And it came on the 25th anniversary of City exiting the third tier of English football when Paul Dickov scored the dramatic last-gasp winner against Gillingham.
That was a pivotal moment in the club’s history as they emerged from their darkest period and, fittingly, Dickov presented the winners’ medals.
With the destiny of the title not being decided until the final day, there were no dramatic late twists.
City went into the last round of fixtures with a two-point lead and knowing victory against West Ham would seal Guardiola’s sixth title.
From the 76th second when Phil Foden gave City the lead, they were never under any serious threat.
Foden, the newly crowned Premier League player of the year, netted twice while there was also a goal for Rodri.
Incredibly it is Foden’s sixth Premier League title, and he is only 23 years of age.
There was only a slight worry when Mohammed Kudus halved the deficit and Tomas Soucek had a late goal disallowed which, had it stood, made for a nervy finish.
Guardiola, asked about thinking of creating history, said: “Not in the beginning but in January/February I said no-one has done it – why not?
“Always, from past experience, we think about the titles with two months left. In November and December, it’s not good to think of it.
“The one last season where we won the Treble the job is done – very special.”
Of the competition, Guardiola explained: “For Arsenal to push us to another level – before it was Liverpool and the last two seasons it’s been Arsenal. This one has been incredible. We get the message. We know they will be there for many years.
“Young manager with big talent [Mikel Arteta] – they sent us a message that you have to be careful for the next few years. When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way. All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that.”
Asked what was the secret? Guardiola explained: “I don’t know. A lot of work. I’m not saying I’m a bad manager, but I have incredible support from the club.
“We have this work ethic, everyone does their job and every department is so important. This is the truth and the reality.”
Embed from Getty ImagesCity captain Kyle Walker said: “The last few years have been very special for everyone at Manchester City but to have captained this club to a fourth straight Premier League title is something I will cherish forever.
“The Premier League is the benchmark by which everyone is measured. It’s rightly renowned as the hardest and most competitive league in the world so to win four in a row, especially after last season’s Treble success, illustrates what we have collectively managed to achieve.”
Bernardo Silva said: “The margins are so small. Liverpool in two seasons we beat them by one point and now Arsenal by two points. We’ve been lucky enough to have these small margins to be in front of them. The achievement is unbelievable. Four in a row, we are so, so proud and so, so happy.”
On which was the most special title, Silva added: “All of them but the first one is always the most special. Winning four in a row and something that was never done before is unbelievable?”
Hammers’ manager David Moyes said: “There used to be an argument that clubs couldn’t win the title back-to-back. He has blown that sky-high. Four in a row is incredible.
“Everyone in football is in awe of his coaching but there is more to it than that. He is a really good man manager and has the ability to control players.
“Either that or he has some hairdryer because he has got them on a string because they won’t step out of place. His ability to manage is second to none.”
Guardiola made two changes as they looked to clinch a fourth consecutive Premier League crown.
Of those, one was enforced, with Stefan Ortega starting in goal ahead of Ederson, who fract
ured his eye-socket during Tuesday’s win at Tottenham Hotspur.
The other saw winger Jeremy Doku start in place of midfielder Mateo Kovacic who dropped to the bench.
Moyes made two changes from the team that came from behind to beat Luton Town 3-1 a week ago.
Top scorer Jarrod Bowen was not in the matchday squad with left-back Aaron Cresswell starting in his place.
Centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos was back from injury and returned to the starting 11 with Angelo Ogbonna dropping to the bench.
With Cresswell replacing Bowen, West Ham could start with a back five, or Emerson will play as a makeshift left winger.
This was the fourth time City’s title challenge had gone down to the final day, and on the previous three they had to battle from behind.
Not this time, however, as Foden gave them the lead after only 76 seconds.
Bernardo Silva provided a sideways pass to Foden who cut inside and bent one of his trademark left-foot efforts into the top corner from 22 yard for his 26th goal of the season and 13th in his last 14 Premier League games.
City had chances to build on their advantage as Doku twice and Kevin De Bruyne were denied by smart saves by Alphonse Areola while Rodri fired into the side netting.
Foden struck again in the 18th minute with another sublime strike, this time set up by Doku who cut in from the left before setting up his team-mate who swept home a shot from 14 yards.
City continued to pepper the visiting goal and you had the feeling they could score at will, De Bruyne forcing a fabulous fingertip save from Areola.
The Hammers finally mustered a goal attempt in the 38th minute as Ortega made a flying save to deny Kudus.
That suddenly gave the Hammers a belief they previously lacked and four minutes later they halved the deficit.
City failed to clear a corner as Kudus teed himself up and find the net with a spectacular overhead kick from seven yards, his 17th goal of the season.
There was an anxious wait for a VAR check for a possible handball in the build-up.
City started the second half on the front foot as De Bruyne and Foden both saw shots flash narrowly wide.
And the nerves were eased on the hour when City restored a two-goal advantage through a Rodri drive from 20 yards low to the left of Areola who got a strong hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out.
It was the Spaniard’s ninth goal of the season as he again came up with the goods on the big occasion.
City made their first change with 20 minutes remaining, Manuel Akanji being replaced by Nathan Ake.
Erling Haaland glanced a header narrowly wide as City almost hit a fourth.
There was an anxious moment when the Hammers looked to have reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 88th minute but a VAR check quickly ruled out Soucek’s effort for a clear handball.
Foden limped off in the dying seconds of normal time having taken a knock to his back as he was replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
At the end of the five minutes of added time, there was a mass pitch invasion, despite calls on the tannoy and scoreboard urging fans not to encroach on to the playing surface.