Manchester City win their fourth consecutive Premier League title, beating Arsenal with a final-day victory over West Ham

CNN
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Seventy-nine seconds. That’s how much Arsenal hoped.

In the end, the drama and tension of the final day of the Premier League season lasted little more than a minute as Phil Foden’s stunning early strike put Manchester City on their way to a comfortable 3-1 win over West Ham, who secured a historic fourth. direct title for the club.

Two points ahead going into the final day, City knew only a win would guarantee they kept the title ahead of Arsenal, while the Gunners needed to win and hope Pep Guardiola’s side would either draw or lose.

Foden’s goal meant that what was happening 200 miles south in north London mattered little, although Arsenal fought back to the end with a 2-1 win at home to Everton to finish with two points torturous behind City.

“We’ve put ourselves in the history books, no team has ever done it,” Foden told Sky Sports of the team’s fourth consecutive title.

“You can see what it means to the fans, to us. This Premier League title was a bit more (special) because no team has done it before, now we are the first team to do it. I am at a loss for words. i am shattered

“We’ve played this scenario a few times before and I think it helped with the nerves, I thought we looked confident today. We played our own football and it paid off.”

Still only 23, Foden has now won a remarkable six Premier League titles. It’s a feeling he certainly doesn’t take for granted.

“I never get bored of it,” he added. “I want that feeling every time. When you win something, there is no better feeling. I just want to keep winning as much as I can.”

Foden’s opening goal, a left-footed rocket into the top corner, calmed any early nerves – if there were any – at the raucous Etihad Stadium. The remaining 88 minutes and 49 seconds were little more than an early trophy celebration as City fans and players basked in the Manchester sunshine.

The Englishman, a born-and-bred Manchester City boy, was living the dream, scoring the goal that won the league title for his hometown club – and it only got better from there.

Just 15 minutes later, Jeremy Doku’s pinpoint cross somehow made its way through three West Ham players and found Foden, who coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who has enjoyed a superb first season in the Premier League, briefly made things interesting after his outrageous bicycle kick halved City’s lead just before half-time.

Back in north London, Everton took a shock lead five minutes before the interval, but Arsenal responded almost immediately to ensure the teams went into the break.

However, any worries City had of spoiling the game at West Ham were banished just over 10 minutes into the second half when Rodri’s low shot from the edge of the area curled under West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and in the net.

Now there was no doubt. The Premier League trophy remained in Manchester.

The party was now well and truly on, and City passed the ball around for the rest of the game with a composure and control that belied the enormity of the occasion, seeing out the final 35 minutes as if they were a training session.

As the match entered the final phase, Manchester City fans began celebrating with “Poznań”, linking arms and jumping up and down with their backs to the pitch.

Back in London, Arsenal finally got a winner against Everton in 89^th minute thanks to Kai Havertz, but it was the weakest consolation.

Blue Moon, City’s club anthem, rang out in the Etihad as the referee blew the full-time whistle to a deafening roar from the home fans. Hundreds of fans ran onto the field to celebrate, filling the air with blue smoke from the rockets.

Guardiola has built one of, if not the greatest squad in Premier League history.

Manchester City have now gone where no team in English football has gone before – and it will probably take a monumental effort from Arsenal, or perhaps Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp, to dethrone this juggernaut next season.