In a thrilling conclusion to the Premier League season, Manchester City secured their fourth consecutive title with a decisive victory over West Ham.
The match, filled with drama and standout performances, saw City dominate from the outset, setting the tone for a memorable final day.
A Flying Start from Phil Foden
The match kicked off with a bang as Phil Foden unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner of Alphonso Areola’s net within the first minute.
The young England star continued to shine, doubling his tally in the 18th minute after finishing off a sweeping team move.
Despite a stunning acrobatic goal from Mohammed Kudus for West Ham, City remained unfazed, with Rodri adding a third goal shortly after the break to seal the victory.
Player Ratings: Manchester City
Stefan Ortega – 6
Ortega had little to do throughout the match, aside from the spectacular overhead kick by Kudus just before halftime, which he couldn’t have saved.
Kyle Walker – 7
Walker’s primary role was to support Bernardo Silva in advanced positions, and he rose to the defensive challenges posed by Lucas Paqueta.
Ruben Dias – 7
Dias was solid in defense, nearly providing a superb assist for Erling Haaland before the break, and managed to keep Antonio at bay comfortably.
Manuel Akanji – 7.5
Akanji, arguably City’s best defender this season, overcame early concentration lapses to grow into the game and deliver a strong performance.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Gvardiol was accomplished on the ball but less adventurous in attack due to Jeremy Doku’s presence. He could have defended better for Kudus’s goal.
Rodri – 7.5
Rodri had some heated exchanges with Pep Guardiola in the first half but made a crucial contribution with City’s third goal.
Bernardo Silva – 8.5
Silva’s precise passing was instrumental in City’s ability to control the game, ending with two assists and a highly controlled performance.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8.5
De Bruyne was relentless in his efforts, providing energy and tenacity in the midfield, which helped City dominate the opening exchanges.
Phil Foden – 9
Foden led from the front with two goals in the opening 20 minutes, delivering a performance worthy of individual accolades.
Jeremy Doku – 8
Doku showcased his flair against Vladimir Coufal, replicating his previous success and nearly scoring himself.
Erling Haaland – 6.5
Haaland was effective in build-up play but missed several chances in front of goal, though he still finished the season as the golden boot winner.
Substitutes:
Nathan Ake (for Akanji, 71) – 6
Mateo Kovacic (for Foden, 90)
Player Ratings: West Ham
Alphonso Areola – 7.5
Areola made several important saves despite conceding three goals, preventing a heavier defeat.
Vladimir Coufal – 5.5
Coufal struggled defensively against Doku, who repeatedly got the better of him.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 5.5
Mavropanos had a tough game dealing with City’s attacking prowess.
Kurt Zouma – 6
Zouma was solid but could not stem the tide of City’s relentless attack.
Aaron Cresswell – 6
Cresswell had an average performance, neither excelling nor faltering significantly.
Emerson Palmieri – 6
Replaced by Alvarez in the 71st minute, Palmieri had a decent outing.
Tomas Soucek – 6
Soucek worked hard in midfield but was often overrun by City’s fluid play.
James Ward-Prowse – 5
Ward-Prowse struggled to make an impact in the midfield battle.
Lucas Paqueta – 6
Paqueta had moments of brilliance but was largely contained by City’s defense.
Mohammed Kudus – 7.5
Kudus provided a moment of magic with his overhead kick but was otherwise quiet.
Michail Antonio – 5.5
Antonio had a frustrating game, isolated and ineffective up front.
Substitutes:
Alvarez (for Palmieri, 71) – 6
Danny Ings (for Paqueta, 86)
Freddie Earthy (for Antonio, 81)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Johnson, Cornet, Ogbonna, Casey, Mubama
Conclusion: The Controversy Over Ederson
The match, while showcasing Manchester City’s dominance, was marred by controversy over Ederson’s non-substitution following a collision.
Critics have called it a scandal, highlighting the ongoing issues with player safety protocols in football.
Despite this, City’s performance on the day was a testament to their skill and determination, ultimately securing their place as Premier League champions once again.
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