List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is defiant in his belief that Mikel Arteta is the right man to take the club forward. The Gunners’ Premier League title hopes ended on Saturday when they lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest, which saw Manchester City crowned champions for a fifth time in six seasons. They sat on top of the league for 248 days of the season and had an eight-point lead over City in March, but despite their late capitulation Arteta’s side have won acclaim for their progress this season. When asked whether he thought Arteta was the man to lead the pursuit of City, he said: “You can forget this question – he is more than the right manager for this team.” The Gunners have faltered badly in their last eight games, winning just twice, but Xhaka says this season has to be the blueprint for progression. “We don’t need to forget how we work for the last 11 months,” he said. “Even when we lost now in the last two games, of course the people see what happens now, but don’t forget the 11 months we worked. “If someone told us before the season that we will be here, I think everyone would sign it. Our goal for sure was to be back in the top four. Now we are second. Of course when you are so close to the title you want to win the title. “But we are there where we are, deserve to be where we are, and let’s see what happens next season. We have to go and do the next step.” Forest’s victory meant that they stayed up against the odds in their first season back in the Premier League. They did it the hard way, having signed 30 new players across the two transfer windows and were on an 11-game winless run up until the end of April. You can forget this question - he is more than the right manager for this team Granit Xhaka on Mikel Arteta But 10 points from the last five games has seen them move out of the relegation zone and midfielder Ryan Yates was happy to prove people wrong. “That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “I have had a lot of that individually, this season is no different. That was always going to come with the amount of players brought in and the amount of money spent. “During those periods we have had, we have had to show real togetherness and resilience. “All credit to the manager, because he has really instilled that belief in us that we can still achieve. This is really special, let’s kick on again next season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Hole-in-one continues Michael Block’s fairytale week at Oak Hill We’re alive and ready – Sean Dyche vows Everton are ready for final fight Brooks Koepka holds slender lead as US PGA Championship heads for thrilling end

Sean Dyche fired a warning to Everton’s relegation rivals and vowed his side are alive and kicking ahead of ‘Survival Sunday’. The Toffees’ last-gasp 1-1 draw at Wolves on Saturday saw them grab what could be a priceless point, with Yerry Mina equalising seconds from the end of nine minute of stoppage time. Leeds’ 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday left the Toffees two points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three, although if Leicester beat Newcastle on Monday the Foxes will go above Everton on goal difference. Everton host Bournemouth in Sunday’s finale but boss Dyche believes their battling point at Molineux proves his side are up for the final fight. “It sends another message that we’re alive and ready, we’re taking it on,” he said. “We’ve had a few question marks over ourselves and things that have got away from us, but there’s been a lot of good. “I’ve reminded the players, there are a lot of good players. They are seeing through the challenges, which I’ve spoken to them at length about. “See through the noise, forget about that. Look at what’s around us, look at the players we’ve got. I was pleased with them on Saturday, not just for the bigger situation. “A point doesn’t sound a lot – maybe at this stage it is – but also their performance, the will and demand. “It’s not always about tactics. It can be, but it’s about the will and demand of a group. That was on show to get something out of a game which looked like it was going away from us. “The consistency of my message to the players has been very similar. Generally there have been tactical and personnel tweaks but the underlying message has been very consistent. The mentality has got stronger and stronger, particularly away from home. “I think there’s been an obvious shift, but it means nothing unless we take care of ourselves next week.” Everton went into stoppage time trailing to Hwang Hee-Chan’s first-half opener, but Mina scored with six seconds left of the initial nine added. It still means their fate is out of their hands until Leicester finish against Newcastle on Monday and Dyche knows it will be difficult to keep his players away from the distractions this week. He added: “It’s not very easy nowadays because there’s media everywhere. Everyone’s a journo now, it’s not just you guys (the press). “Everyone with their phone, everyone who wanders around the Trafford Centre. Everyone has an opinion on something, but it’s part of being a modern footballer, manager or coach. It’s the way it is, you adapt. We all know it’s there.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Hole-in-one continues Michael Block’s fairytale week at Oak Hill Granit Xhaka believes Mikel Arteta is ‘more than the right manager’ for Arsenal Brooks Koepka holds slender lead as US PGA Championship heads for thrilling end

Bo Schembechler's son, Shemy, served on Michigan's recruiting staff for three days before resigning after social media activity came to light.Vetting new hires may be standard practice, but college football teams this week are finding out there's a difference between "vetting...

Vinicius Junior said “racism is normal in LaLiga” after the Real Madrid star was sent off having faced racist abuse from the stands in a 1-0 defeat at Valencia on Sunday. The match at the Mestalla was halted for 10 minutes in the second half as Vinicius pointed out fans to the referee who he said had racially abused him. The Brazilian continued to play but was sent off in injury time after he became involved in a brawl with Valencia players. The 22-year-old shoved Valencia striker Hugo Duro as tempers flared between both sides, with VAR deciding it warranted a red card. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti condemned the abuse and said Vinicius’s reaction was “understandable” in the circumstances. Vinicius has been subjected to racist abuse several times this season. Before Sunday’s match, LaLiga have filed as many as eight instances of “racist behaviour” against the forward this season, including against Real Madrid’s rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. In a post on Twitter, Vinicius said the “championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi today belongs to racists”. “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third,” Vinicius said. “Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. “Today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence.But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists.” Ancelotti said LaLiga “has a problem” after revealing he wanted the referee to stop the match following the racist abuse. “I don’t want to talk about football today, there is no meaning in talking about football today,” Ancelotti said. “What we saw today is unacceptable. An entire stadium chanting racist slurs. “I asked him if he wanted to keep playing, and he stayed in the game. “LaLiga have a problem here. For me Vinicius is the most important player in the world. LaLiga has a problem, these episodes of racism have to stop the match. “It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0, there is no other way. “Vinicius is very sad, he is angry. Something like this can’t happen in the world we live in.” In a statement, LaLiga said it will open an investigation into the incident and will take legal action if “any hate crime is detected”. It read: “In view of the incidents that occurred during the Valencia CF – Real Madrid CF match at the Mestalla Stadium, La Liga informs that it has requested all available images to investigate what happened. “Once the investigation has been completed, if any hate crime is detected, La Liga will proceed to take the appropriate legal action. “La Liga will also investigate the images in which racist insults were allegedly directed towards Vinicius Jr outside the Mestalla stadium.” In their own statement, Valencia condemned “isolated incidents”. “Valencia CF wish to publicly condemn insults and attacks of all kinds in football. Although this is an isolated episode, insults to any opposing player have no place in football and do not fit with the values and identity of Valencia CF. The club are investigating what occurred and will take the most severe measures against the perpetrators. “Valencia CF also condemn any offence and request the utmost respect for our fans. Whilst strongly denouncing these isolated incidents, Valencia CF would like to thank the more than 46,000 fans in attendance for their support for the team.” Read More ‘No doubt’ Ancelotti should stay at Real Madrid despite Champions League failure Only Vinicius Jr has the key to shape semi-final - even if Man City dominate The best player in the world right now? Vinicius brilliance has elevated the debate Kevin De Bruyne is Man City’s man for the big occasion but has he met his match? The six types of Pep Guardiola full-back, and what each says about Man City Manchester United take WSL title race to the wire with dramatic derby winner

Manchester United scored a stoppage-time winner against 10-woman Manchester City to take the Women’s Super League title fight down to the final day. Chelsea had put the pressure on their rivals as first-half goals from Guro Reiten and skipper Magda Eriksson earned them a 2-0 home win over Arsenal earlier in the day and a five-point advantage. The Blues have reeled in previous leaders United and Marc Skinner’s side knew only a first WSL derby victory against their city rivals would be enough to take the fight to the final day next weekend. Hayley Ladd fired in a long-range shot in only the second minute to give the hosts the lead and City were reduced to 10 players just before half-time when goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck brought down Nikita Parris. But Filippa Angeldahl’s attempted cross flew over Mary Earps for an equaliser in the 68th minute, and City came close to winning it before Lucia Garcia poked in United’s second in the first minute of added time. Earlier, Reiten put Chelsea ahead with a 22nd-minute strike before Eriksson - who earlier in the week had announced she will be leaving the club at the end of the season - added a finish just before the break. Katie McCabe had the chance to pull a goal back with a penalty on the hour but put it wide. Emma Hayes’ side can clinch a fourth successive title with victory over bottom side Reading next Saturday while United - who have clinched Champions League qualification for the first time - face Liverpool. Defeats for Arsenal and fourth-placed City mean the Gunners stay three points clear - with a much better goal difference - in the race for the third Champions League qualifying spot. The relegation fight will go to the final match of the season after Leicester were beaten 2-1 by West Ham. Leicester could have relegated Reading with victory but Sophie Howard’s own goal put the Hammers ahead and Dagny Brynjarsdottir made it two with a spot-kick. Ruby Mace was shown her second yellow card for the Foxes in added time but there was still time for Hannah Cain to pull one back from the penalty spot. Rachel Daly extended her lead over Khadija Shaw in the race for the Golden Boot with another goal in Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Kirsty Hanson put Villa ahead in the seventh minute and the sides went into half-time level after Katie Stengel and Natasha Dowie scored in quick succession for Liverpool prior to Daly’s goal. Stengel then put Liverpool ahead again in the 62nd minute but Hanson equalised eight minutes later. Everton, who are assured of finishing above their city rivals in sixth, defeated Brighton 2-1. Hanna Bennison scored an added-time winner after Brighton’s Katie Robinson had cancelled out Katja Snoeijs’ opener. Read More Departing Magdalena Eriksson and era-crowning win show why WSL title heading back to Chelsea ‘Unstoppable’ Manchester City players have the hunger to win more trophies Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble Manchester United vs Manchester City LIVE: Latest Women's Super League updates

Manchester City’s stars hailed the club as “unstoppable” and one of the best teams in Premier League history after they clinched their fifth title in six years. Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday ensured City could not be beaten, and they sealed the achievement in style by defeating Chelsea 1-0 for their 12th consecutive league win. Defender Kyle Walker told Sky Sports: “Obviously every one is a very special moment. I think to not be sitting at the top of the league for as long as we were, I think it was 11 points at one stage, so to then come back just needing a victory out of one of the three games, it’s brilliant. “This group of lads are second to none. They’re professionals, they’re winners, and I think that’s how we get across the line more times than not. But we’re not finished. We’ve got the FA Cup against our bitter rivals Manchester United and then we’ve got the Champions League final.” City face United in the FA Cup final on June 3 before meeting Inter Milan a week later as they chase a first Champions League crown. “It would be fantastic but there’s a lot of football to be played before we can start saying about the treble,” said Walker. “We’ve got two massive finals. I think, just for this club and this group of lads that I’ve been involved with for six years, to say we’re up there with one of the greatest Premier League teams of all time, I think we have to go and conquer some of that. “To go and get this, I think we can really stamp our mark on being one of thegreatest teams of all-time in the Premier League.” I think we can really stamp our mark on being one of the greatest teams of all-time in the Premier League Kyle Walker Jack Grealish has been a key player in their recent winning run, and he said of his second Premier League title: “Obviously it’s different. For me personally, I feel this year especially I’ve played much more of a part. “I feel good in myself, I feel confident, back to my normal self and what I knew I could do.” Asked if City feel invincible, the England forward added: “It’s mad because I spoke to some of the lads not long ago and I said, ‘Imagine if someone would have said to you to win the league you’ve got to go and win 12 games in a row?’ “I’m not saying I didn’t think we could do it but it was going to be difficult. We’ve got so much talent in this squad and I think at the moment we feel unstoppable.” We've got so much talent in this squad and I think at the moment we feel unstoppable Jack Grealish It was a first title for goal machine Erling Haaland, who said: “(It’s) a dream. I don’t know what to say. It’s just unreal and I’m so happy. These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life. We’ve been fighting so hard. “Debut season, 36 goals so far, Premier League trophy and two finals left – not a bad start.” Kevin De Bruyne is now an old hand at winning titles with City, and he added: “I know people expect us to win a lot but we work every day for this and a lot of people sacrifice for us so we’re very grateful. “I think sometimes it’s more tough mentally than it is physically because you have to go again, again, again, but the team is hungry. I want to win more and keep going while I still can.” The emotions were a little different for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who finally made his first Premier League start for the club. “Obviously it was a great feeling,” he said. “When I came in this morning the manager told me I was playing and I was just happy, to be honest. “But I was happy because we won the league the night before and I knew there might be a chance I could play. I just went home, relaxed, and I enjoyed every moment out here. “It’s been unbelievably tough, it’s probably been one of the lowest points in myself, confidence-wise, in my career. But, with the guys around me, the leaders that have kept me going, they told me I’d get my chance and luckily today I did. “I’m very lucky that I’ve got the guys around me to keep pushing me and working me as hard as possible.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble Nottinghamshire up to fourth in Division One after draw against Essex Roberto De Zerbi provides warning for next season as Brighton prepare for Europe

Perhaps it was almost as Todd Boehly envisaged: a Chelsea game in May, the new champions given a guard of honour after securing what may prove the first of a treble, cruising to victory over fallen rivals. Except Chelsea had to form the guard of honour – in perhaps the closest they came to a coherent formation for quite some time – and Manchester City were celebrating in the sunshine. The nouveaux riches were companion clubs for years but, since each came into extreme wealth, they have never been separated by a greater gulf. If money has talked, and one has spent largely well in recent seasons, the other spectacularly badly in the last 12 months, the consequence is that City’s fifth league title in six seasons was sealed the day before they condemned Chelsea to a first bottom-half finish since 1996. City have the luxury of having Julian Alvarez as a second-choice striker; the rested Erling Haaland’s deluxe deputy is a World Cup winner and he extended their winning run to 12 league games. But, in a season of ignominies for Chelsea, there were more. Pep Guardiola’s team felt suddenly altered on Saturday night, City’s coronation prompting him to rest nine of the starters against Real Madrid. But his second-string side are better than the club with a £600m makeover; indeed City have more than twice as many points as Chelsea. Chelsea had lost to a severely weakened City in the FA Cup and did so again in the Premier League. Over the season, Chelsea have met City four times, lost all four and failed to score in each. Alvarez has scored against them in three competitions, whereas Chelsea have only found the net against anyone in two. Of their quartet of defeats, this may have been the most respectable. Real Madrid had conceded four at the Etihad, like Liverpool and Arsenal before them. Chelsea only let in one as City chalked up a 16th consecutive home win in 2023; indeed, incongruously, the last team to stop them on their own turf was Frank Lampard’s Everton. But the context changed the minute Nottingham Forest beat Arsenal. This became an exhibition game for City, a chance for Guardiola to turn to nine substitutes and make them starters. Even Kalvin Phillips got a belated first start for City. Some 364 days after the previous time he figured in a Premier League starting 11, he headed against the base of the post, a first City goal eluding him. He was part of a makeshift midfield with Rico Lewis and Phil Foden; one is often a full-back of sorts, the other normally found in the front three. It was a reason why City were more open than usual, though it scarcely mattered. More damningly, gaps magically appeared in Chelsea’s five-man defence when City scored. Cole Palmer picked out Alvarez and the Argentinian was free to place a shot beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga. Palmer began in terrific style and the 21-year-old almost marked just his second Premier League start with a goal, Trevoh Chalobah clearing his shot off the line. Foden came close with an audacious lob while Alvarez had a second goal ruled out because of a handball by Riyad Mahrez, his supplier. Alvarez was terrific but if no one else has a second-choice striker of such stature, City can argue he is a £14m bargain. Chelsea, with as many league goals as Haaland has on his own, lack any kind of potent first-choice centre-forward, let alone a high-grade understudy. A side with a marked aversion to scoring had the opportunities to level after making a timid start. Stefan Ortega denied Raheem Sterling a goal on his return to the Etihad Stadium. Sterling was thwarted, too, by a brilliant goal-line clearance from his former teammate John Stones, even if he was then ruled offside. Sterling came off to a standing ovation, but from the home faithful; named Footballer of the Year and scorer of 31 goals in a season for City may have felt nostalgic for his old club. His season, like Chelsea’s, has been a harrowing affair. Chelsea’s other threat stemmed from two of their own. Conor Gallagher headed Lewis Hall’s cross against the post. Hall and Gallagher acquitted themselves well, two youth-team products faring better than many of the buys. Meanwhile, Noni Madueke was strangely demoted to the bench by Lampard; Trevoh Chalobah ended up at left wing-back, irrelevant experiments as Chelsea’s season peters out. Guardiola brought on some of the regulars, in Stones, Rodri, Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne, which meant they had to flee the pitch invasion after the final whistle. At least, though, they had something to celebrate. Two years ago, Chelsea beat City three times in six weeks and defeated them in a Champions League final. But, as one closes in on a historic treble and the other has endured one of the worst campaigns a superclub has ever had, it feels far longer ago. Read More Man City vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League trophy presentation delayed by pitch invasion Five titles in six years: Are Manchester City destroying the Premier League? Enzo Fernandez is Chelsea’s sole shining light to take into next season

Manchester City celebrated with their fans after being crowned Premier League champions for a fifth time in six seasons. City were presented with the trophy for a third season in succession after comfortably beating Chelsea 1-0 in their final home match of the campaign at a sun-drenched Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Their latest triumph could be the first leg of a treble with City still having the FA Cup and Champions League finals – in which they will face Manchester United and Inter Milan respectively – to come next month. Supporters were in party mood after the title was confirmed on Saturday evening following second-placed Arsenal’s loss at Nottingham Forest. Thousands of fans waited outside the stadium entrance to welcome the team prior to the game. Blue flares were set off and there were chants of ‘champions’ as the players stepped off the bus. The celebrations continued throughout the game and for long after the final whistle. The trophy presentation had to be delayed after thousands of fans poured on to the pitch following the conclusion of the game, which a much-changed City side won courtesy of an early Julian Alvarez strike. After being handed the trophy on a podium set up in the centre circle, manager Pep Guardiola and the players embarked on a lap of honour to acknowledge the supporters. Before kick-off, Chelsea formed a guard of honour to welcome City to the field. The ‘Poznan’ fan dance was seen on a number of occasions during the game as fans made the most of the occasion. The players, who were joined by their families, seemed to enjoy themselves both on the field and, as pictures showed, back in the dressing room afterwards. Kevin De Bruyne, who had been a substitute against Chelsea, was one of number of players to run around the field playfully with his children. Yet, as full-back Kyle Walker said, with two big matches still to come, celebrations would remain modest. “We’re not finished, we’ve got the FA Cup against our bitter rivals and the Champions League final on June 10,” Walker told Sky Sports. “We will enjoy it today, we will have a few glasses of champagne but then we move on to June, which is the big one and hopefully we can create history with this great club.”

Roberto De Zerbi told Brighton supporters to get their passports ready but warned the club must continue improving ahead of their maiden European campaign next season. Evan Ferguson netted twice in the first half of Albion’s 3-1 victory over Southampton in front of a sold-out Amex Stadium, where Pascal Gross restored the two-goal advantage following Mohamed Elyounoussi’s header for the relegated Saints. The three points assured De Zerbi’s side would not finish lower than seventh, in the Europa Conference League spot, though a sixth-place finish and a Europa League berth are all but mathematically guaranteed. “Today is difficult for me because with my English I can’t explain my emotion,” said the Italian manger, who succeeded Graham Potter in September. “I think we deserve this. The club, the players, me, my staff, and the fans, they have to organise their passports to travel in Europe next year because we have to grow together.” De Zerbi, who last week was shortlisted for the Premier League’s manager of the season award, was increasingly animated on the touchline throughout Sunday’s contest, which was made more interesting when Elyounoussi nodded past Jason Steele after 58 minutes. It felt everyone in the stands held a single collective breath soon after when Theo Walcott lifted the ball over the Albion keeper but the potential Saints equaliser was chalked off for offside. Relief made way for elation when Gross fired in the hosts’ third from the edge of the area to put the game away. But De Zerbi warned booking tickets to Europe is just the beginning of a new era for Brighton, who now must ensure they have the squad to compete in four competitions next term. He said: “I think the history of the Premier League explains. It can happen, you achieve Europe and the next year you can find yourself at the bottom of the table. “Now is the crucial moment for the club. Not for Roberto, for the players, but for the club, because we have to keep this level. We have to build a squad to improve our level because I think (chairman) Tony (Bloom) and the club they don’t want to lose this level. “And to not lose this level we have to work harder in this transfer market, not only in the transfer market but to organise better and better and better because the victory can be dangerous. “If you celebrate the victory it’s right, it’s normal, but you have to improve. You have to work harder because you can lose the level.” De Zerbi admitted that at one point his high-flying Seagulls had set an internal goal of qualifying for the Champions League, adding: “I always think it is good for the players to fix the big target. “We have improved in mentality, we have improved in confidence, we had a target and we still have a target. We have to get another point to play in Europa League.” Anything below sixth for the Seagulls looks highly unlikely, with Albion enjoying a considerable advantage on goal difference and a game in hand on seventh-placed Villa, their final opponents of the campaign. Southampton were already relegated before Saturday’s contest. Ruben Selles’ contract is set to expire after the season, but he insisted that as far as he was aware reports about the potential appointment of Swansea boss Russell Martin as his successor were unsubstantiated. The Saints boss added: “About my future, again I’m not worried about my future. “I know that my contract expires at the end of the season and what the club decides, it’s going to be the club’s decision. “It’s not my decision, I cannot control it, so I cannot spend time on that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sam Allardyce has no regrets about taking Leeds job after damaging West Ham loss Lee Gregory’s face mask returned following Sheffield Wednesday appeal Ronan O’Gara reveals Ireland ambition after latest Champions Cup success

Sebastien Haller scored twice as Borussia Dortmund beat 10-man Augsburg 3-0 on Sunday to take control of the Bundesliga title race going into next week’s season finale. Haller, who had missed much of the season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer last year, broke the deadlock in the 58th minute and tapped in his second goal of the afternoon six minutes before the end to seal the win that lifted them above Bayern Munich and into top spot. Julian Brandt completed the win with a stoppage-time goal. Dortmund, whose last title win came in 2012 under then coach Juergen Klopp, are on 70 points, two ahead of Bayern. The Bavarians suffered a shock 3-1 home loss to RB Leipzig on Saturday. Dortmund host Mainz 05 on the last matchday while Bayern, who have won the last 10 league titles, travel to Cologne in their season finale.

Frank Lampard has revealed he will not stay on at Chelsea to work under their next manager, with Mauricio Pochettino expected to be confirmed as Graham Potter’s successor. Lampard has been in interim charge at Stamford Bridge for the last nine games, losing seven, and his short-term contract will expire at the end of the season. He is expected to focus on trying to get another managerial post after previous spells in charge of Derby, Chelsea and Everton while Pochettino is likely to be joined by his usual backroom staff of Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and his son Sebastiano. And Lampard said: “A new manager will come in and bring his own coaches, for sure.” Chelsea gave new champions Manchester City a guard of honour before Pep Guardiola’s side beat them 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium and Lampard urged his players to show the same work ethic if they want to emulate them. He added: “I don’t think they should have to do a guard of honour to understand. Manchester City have not won three [Premier League titles] in a row through half intensity. They have had to work and work and work. The players have to understand that. They have to take personal responsibility and say: ‘I want to be [Erling] Haaland or [Kevin] De Bruyne, I have to put in the work they have.’ It is something they have to strive towards.” Chelsea will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League this season but Lampard believes it is up to the players what they achieve in the future. He said: “It is in their hands. I can’t say that how long it will take. It is down to the players and the direction of the club. This Premier League is getting tougher.” Read More Man City’s Premier League coronation shows how far their rivals have fallen Enzo Fernandez is Chelsea’s sole shining light to take into next season Mauricio Pochettino agrees Chelsea terms and plots summer transfers

Manchester City celebrated their latest Premier League title triumph with a straightforward 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing side had already been confirmed as champions for a fifth time in six seasons after Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. That meant the Etihad Stadium was in celebratory mood for the visit of the Blues and a much-changed side gave the fans another success to cheer courtesy of an early Julian Alvarez goal. Chelsea had a few bright moments but City, without getting anywhere near the intensity with which they crushed Real Madrid in midweek, always seemed in control. Fans had arrived to party in the sunshine and the ‘Poznan’ was seen on more than one occasion. City were given a guard of honour by their opponents as they entered the field and they went on to knock the ball around with a such a swagger that – perhaps embarrassingly for a Chelsea side that aspires to the heights City have reached – it appeared the Londoners faced a long afternoon. It seemed only a matter of time before the opening goal came and it arrived after 12 minutes as City seized possession in midfield and Cole Palmer picked out Alvarez in front of goal. The Argentina World Cup winner took a touch and then emphatically drilled a shot across Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was City’s 100th home goal in all competitions this season. Chelsea looked well off the pace, much as they have done throughout what has been a dispiriting end to the season under temporary boss Frank Lampard. Former City forward Raheem Sterling attempted to rouse them. The England international twice got behind the City defence but was unable to pick out a team-mate the first time and then had a shot saved by Stefan Ortega. Conor Gallagher then went closer when he headed against the post from a Lewis Hall cross. Yet City always seemed in command and Phil Foden was only narrowly off-target with an attempted chip and Kalvin Phillips, finally making his first league start for the champions, blasted wide. Phillips was inches away from getting on the scoresheet after the break when he met a Riyad Mahrez free-kick with a firm header but it rebounded off the foot of the post. At the other end, Hall and Sterling both shot at Ortega. Sterling had another effort cleared off the line by City substitute John Stones, although an offside flag was raised anyway. Alvarez thought he had claimed a second with just under 20 minutes remaining but Mahrez controlled the ball with his arm before teeing up the Argentinian. With it being City’s last home match of the season, star pair Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were given a run-out in the latter stages. Rodri also came off the bench as City closed out their 12th successive Premier League win. Thousands of fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle, delaying the trophy presentation. After the celebrations subside, City have further league games at Brighton and Brentford before they play the FA Cup and Champions League finals next month. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sam Allardyce has no regrets about taking Leeds job after damaging West Ham loss Lee Gregory’s face mask returned following Sheffield Wednesday appeal Ronan O’Gara reveals Ireland ambition after latest Champions Cup success