Man City romp to fifth Premier League title

Manchester City have claimed their fifth Premier League crown and they will go for the treble in the FA Cup final against Manchester United on 3rd June and in the Champions League final against Inter Milan on 10th June.
The icing was finally put on the English side's proverbial cake on Saturday to round off a stellar 2022-23 season, landing them an astonishing fifth Premier League title in the club's history. They in fact achieved the feat without playing, with Arsenal's defeat to Nottingham Forest making their four point lead unassailable.
Guardiola's men were expected to be the runners-up in the Premier League due to Arsenal's superb season but City managed to overtake them in the title race. The Gunners were favourites to lift the trophy this season but they lost the top spot when they faced Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on 26th April.
The showdown ended 4-1 to the Sky Blues thanks to Kevin de Bruyne's brace and goals scored by John Stones and Erling Haaland. It was from that moment on that Arsenal lost their lead and fought to regain it but their dreams were dashed by the invincible City.
Manchester City have only lost four games this season - against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Brentford and Liverpool, drawn four - against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa, and won the rest (27). This run of good results has led them to lift the Premier League trophy.
Erling Haaland
Haaland joined Manchester City in June 2022 from Borussia Dortmund, where he played for three seasons. The Norwegian has not needed an adaptation period in the Premier League as he has scored 36 goals in 33 games at the time of writing.
In fact, it seems as if he was born to play at the Etihad Stadium. The Norway international is the top goalscorer this season in the English league after Harry Kane, who has scored 27 goals for Tottenham Hotspur.
Haaland has undoubtedly been the key player for Manchester City this season as his side have been successful in part thanks to his impressive performances. The 22-year-old has scored five braces and four hat-tricks this campaign. Moreover, he has started 32 of the 33 competitive matches he has played in the Premier League.
The Norwegian set a new Premier League record of 36 goals and counting in a campaign and moved beyond the 34 goals netted by Alan Shearer for Blackburn in 1994/95 and Andy Cole when at Newcastle a term earlier.
The former Salzburg striker has played a crucial role in Guardiola's squad not only in the English league but has also shown his incredible skills in other competitions such as in the Champions League, where he scored five goals against RB Leipzig in the second leg of the round of 16.
Haaland has a contract with Manchester City until 2027 but the board are likely to renew his contract shortly. Both Guardiola and the Sky Blues want to keep him for many more seasons.

Kevin De Bruyne
The playmaker joined Manchester City in the 2015/16 season from Wolfsburg and is still an important part of the squad. De Bruyne has provided more assists than any other player in the Premier League this season for Guardiola's side.
The Belgian has provided 16 assists in 30 Premier League games played and has been one of the players who has helped Haaland lead City to the top of the table. Furthermore, he has scored seven goals - against Arsenal, Leicester, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 31-year-old has long been a key player at Manchester City and his current contract expires in 2025. His future is uncertain but the Sky Blues will want their midfielder par excellence to stay on for a few more seasons..

Rodri
The Spaniard is probably one of the players Pep Guardiola trusts the most. The defensive midfielder has been the footballer who has played the most games as a starter, behind Ederson, the first team goalkeeper.
Rodri has started 33 games out of 34 played and is the player with the most games played for Manchester City in the English league. Why does Guardiola rely so much on him?
The Spain international has made over 156 interceptions and is the player who has won the most duels. Rodri has won a total of 310 duels this season in the Premier League. Moreover, the 26-year-old has also won 77 aerial duels for City.
As a result, he has become one of Guardiola's undisputed starters in domestic competition. His current contract with Manchester City expires in 2027.

After winning the Premier League title, the Sky Blues will be looking to win the Champions League and the FA Cup. They will face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on 3rd June.
Guardiola's side have scored 17 goals in the FA Cup this season while Manchester United have scored just 12. Riyad Mahrez is City's top goalscorer in the FA Cup having scored five goals and Fred is United's top goalscorer in the same competition having scored two goals.
One week later, they will play against Inter Milan in the Champions League final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium and try to win their most awaited title for the first time.
Manchester City have scored 31 goals in their Champions League matches while Inter have scored 19. Erling Haaland is the top goalscorer for the English side having scored 12 goals and Dzeko is the top goalscorer for the Italian club having scored four goals.
We will have to wait and see if Guardiola's men can achieve their treble target.