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Phil Foden scored twice and Rodri added a third as City made history with an unprecedented fourth consecutive English football top-flight title

Michael Dominski

May 19, 2024 at 4:15 PM EDT

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Was exiting the Champions League a blessing in disguise for Man City?

Manchester City would much prefer to be gearing up for another Champions League final in a fortnight's time but going out of Europe may have been a blessing in disguise as far as their Premier League aspirations went.

"We played a lot of games," Guardiola said in April. "Real Madrid was really intense for many things, we were out of the Champions League having done really well and after two or three days we were tired here." He pointed to his head. "Not just in the legs, complaining more they were tired here." He pointed again.

Guardiola railed against the schedule after City beat Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals, battling through their fatigue and "sadness" at losing to Madrid, as the manager put it. With energy levels low, it must have been a huge benefit not to have to prepare and play in a European semi-final against Bayern Munich.

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Inside Manchester City's history-making fourth Premier League title in a row

Where does this title sit in Man City's pantheon?

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When you've clinched a 100-point season with the final kick, fought off Liverpool for four months, done that again and then gone 2-0 down on the final day of the season with 25 minutes to go, you know you have seen some special things over the years.

Not to mention 2011-12. Consequently, this one is quite hard to place in terms of final-day drama.

So how do we rank it? Check out the piece below for our answer.

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

Where does this season leave Arsenal?

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Miracles are not supposed to happen too often. That is kind of the point. They are exceptional, unbelievable, almost unheard of. The Emirates was the site of a pilgrimage, as supporters from near, far and wide, wanted to be here just in case.

Because this particular Goliath has become so regularly monstrous, Arsenal's David knew they had put up a brilliant fight, even if they could not land a final blow. They came to salute this team on the rise and acclaim their efforts this season.

So how can we look back on this season for Arsenal? And where has it left them, looking to the future?

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

Are City secret advocates of the long-range goal?

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If City are renowned for trying to "walk it in" then their finishing against West Ham could not have been further from their type.

Against a back-five West Ham team that completely sat in, City set about shooting on sight more than trying to pick the lock with passes.

In truth, it is a vital string to City's attacking bow, having scored 18, 15 and 17 goals from outside the box in the past three seasons.

Discover more below.

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

How effective was Moyes' plan to deal with City?

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David Moyes' decision to move towards a back five out of possession against Manchester City didn't stop Pep Guardiola's machine from winning their fourth Premier League title in a row after putting three goals past West Ham United.

West Ham wanted to make this harder for City with a back five out of possession and a focus on finding Vladimir Coufal's runs down the right wing, but apart from a nervous couple of minutes after Kudus' goal, the new (and old) champions looked in control of the game.

Dive deeper into our tactical analysis below...

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

Were Everton the worst side Arsenal could have faced?

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When Arsenal won the Premier League in both 1997-98 and 2001-02, their final home game of the season was against Everton.

They couldn't make it a hat-trick here because of Manchester City's win, which made their result academic. It also took them 88 minutes to get their noses in front against Everton.

Playing against a Sean Dyche side on a crucial final day is almost the last thing Arteta would have wanted. Here is why.

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

How did early City goals impact Arsenal atmosphere?

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It all felt so damned inevitable when news filtered through of City's early goals. Where was the jeopardy? The drama? The mood at Emirates Stadium dimmed for a while. Arsenal lacked some of their usual verve, and Everton were set up to compete in a low block.

The dial moved even lower for Arsenal when Declan Rice, of all people, saw Idrissa Gueye's free kick ricochet off his head and in.

But football suddenly launched a hint of dramatic twist at the afternoon... read more below.

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

Manchester City win Premier League: The Briefing

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Manchester City are the 2023-24 Premier League champions — the first time in 135 years of top-flight football that a club has won the English league title four seasons in a row.

For the 10th time in the Premier League era, the the title was to be decided on the final day. Here, our writers analyse some of the key moments of a dramatic afternoon.

Check out the full article below - though we'll be bringing you the sections in this live blog imminently.

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

How apt were City's scorers?

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Frank Lampard got double figures for 10 straight seasons from midfield and it is why his goalscoring prowess is still considered the standard even now, and so it is quite something that Foden managed 19 this season.

Honestly, you might not believe it but City fans are an especially pessimistic bunch, and nobody could take a breath until that third goal.

A little reminder of the player of the year award situation actually: Foden is brilliant but Rodri is always there when you need him, too.

Click below for more...

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Manchester City win Premier League: Foden unstoppable, Arsenal's progress, admirable Everton - The Briefing

How City maintained dominance after treble-winning season

The Athletic

Earlier this season before Christmas, Manchester City's coaching staff had concerns about whether their squad's fire had gone out following last year's treble victory.

Speak to anybody around the place now — there are plenty of players who have said it publicly — and there is open admission that levels did drop, to differing degrees, before the end of 2023, a year in which City lifted four trophies.

And while Guardiola railed against the idea that City had become complacent, suggested most publicly by Sky Sports during their run of poor results leading up to Christmas, he knew that the levels had dipped. He knew it was natural and he felt that the difference, in most cases, was subtle. But with Arsenal and Liverpool leading the way and Tottenham and Aston Villa doing well, he and his coaches were concerned about where those subtle differences might lead.

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How the 2023-24 Premier League season concluded: Title, European qualification and relegation

Howe 'hopes' Guimaraes wasn't waving goodbye to Newcastle

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Eddie Howe "hopes" that Bruno Guimaraes was not waving goodbye to Newcastle United fans when he lingered behind after his team-mates had departed the pitch at Brentford.

Guimaraes scored one and assisted another two during Newcastle's 4-2 victory over Brentford, a victory which secured a seventh-placed finish.

The 26-year-old Brazilian has a £100million ($127m) release clause in his contract which can be activated until June 30 but, even once that expires, there are rumours of interest from Manchester City and Arsenal in the midfielder.

"I don't think it's a wave goodbye," Howe said of Guimaraes. "Certainly from my side, I hope it's not. He is integral to what we're doing, an inspirational player and we're desperate to keep him."

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Eddie Howe 'hopes' Bruno Guimaraes wasn't waving goodbye to Newcastle

More from Kyle Walker: 'Every player has their super power'

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Manchester City captain Kyle Walker, speaking to Sky Sports after lifting another Premier League trophy, discussed his age (33), saying: "I feel young, I feel great, I still have my pace. I come to training every day wanting to learn. Once that goes then it is probably time to pack up but this group of lads keeps you on your toes. They keep on you to keep improving every day.

"(Being a leader here) is good. It is something that you pick up and you learn. From Vinnie (Kompany), Gundo (Gundogan), Fernandinho I've learned, and this year I have had to take it on my shoulders. It is tough some days when you are not at it and you have to set an example, but I have tried.

"I said to the lads today that it's not just about the 11 that start, the people that come on are so important. The other day against Tottenham, Stefan (Ortega) stepped up, very rarely your goalkeeper gets subbed but he comes on and makes a defining moment in Premier League history with the save against Son. Those are the small margins that make this team what it is.

"Every player has their super power. Kevin De Bruyne with his passing, Erling Haaland with his finishing, Phil Foden with his control in small spaces, Jeremy Doku one on one, I could go through them all. Mine is my pace, just try and do what I can do for the team."

De Zerbi: 'I will smoke more cigarettes, I will watch 100 games per week'

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Roberto De Zerbi discusses what life will look like after Brighton: "Without football it's not easy for me. I will smoke more cigarettes. I will watch 100 games per week."

Unai Emery: 'We finished in our mind on Tuesday'

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking after his side's 5-0 loss at Crystal Palace, said: "When you lose 5-0 you are disappointed, and maybe a little bit embarrassed by the result. Today, we were not 100 per cent with our power we have showed all season.

"We finished in our mind on Tuesday when we achieved our target for the season, and today we tried to have a good finish to the season but we did not play with consistency.

"It was a difficult match because they are playing very well... We tried to compete and be organised like we have all season, but we have to accept how we have finished and how we achieved our objective last Tuesday.

"I need (time off), but I need to analyse deeply, with time, and also to enjoy the rest because the season was really tough. We achieved a lot but we demanded a lot of the players, so we have to rest and prepare professionally but also take time on decisions."

Robertson, Van Dijk on Jurgen Klopp

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Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson heaped praise on departing manager Jurgen Klopp, with Van Dijk saying on Sky Sports: "I've got no words, it's a very emotional day. Liverpool is Liverpool. It's special and you see that today. It was always going to be a tough afternoon for everyone."

Robertson added on Premier League Productions: "We can't thank Jurgen Klopp enough and all the players could do today was try to win for him and we managed that to send him off on a high.

"We tried to take the limelight off him and it just wasn't possible. He will have to suck it up today. What he's done for the club is magnificent. We have a lot to be grateful for and thankful for. Today he can just focus on being with his family and the fans. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.

"He's improved all of us as people. That's what we're all grateful for. He always took time for our families and for us. That's what we'll miss the most. He's done amazing at this club. I think he needs to get off in the sun, have a beer in his hand and have a well deserved rest.

"We wanted to send him off like we have but of course there's a new era upon us. We're all excited and we have to be. We need to be on board. We will be ready to get on board with the new manager and help him as much as we can. This club demands success. We're excited for the new challenge."

Pochettino: Qualifying for Europe is 'the first step'

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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino spoke to Sky Sports after his club's finale: "I am so happy with the run-in the last part of the season. Credit to the players and that is how we want to compete.

"For the history of Chelsea, it is hard to celebrate (after qualifying for Europe) but it is the first step to achieve bigger things after. We are really close. Season by season it is about improving. We know how we need to compete next season. We have a young squad but with more experience in the Premier League now."

Describing the departing veteran Thiago Silva, he added: "It is a pleasure and honour to coach someone like him in my team. He is one of the greatest players ever. Amazing professional and his career is amazing. The problem now is how we will miss him."

Pochettino was more curt when addressing his future at the club: "That is a question for the owners and the sporting director."

Guardiola discusses Man City future

The news that no rival fans wants to hear, Pep Guardiola talking about staying at Manchester City.

Sky Sports asked him about his future, eliciting this response: "The reality is that I'm closer to leaving than staying. Eight years now, it will be nine.

"Right now, my feeling is that I want to stay next season, we have talked with the club and we have time to talk next season because I have to see the players as well. I will stay and during the season, we will talk."

De Zerbi: Brighton job 'one of my greatest experiences'

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Departing Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi spoke to the BBC after his final match in charge: "It was a tough day, a special day. I finish one of my greatest experiences, in terms of the relationship, it has been one of the most important experiences of my life.

"We did a great job, especially in the last season. In the first half of this season, we gave our best and gave every game our best. Sometimes we won, sometimes we lost. We have to be proud of this group of players over the two seasons.

"Listen, we didn't find the agreement to move on. We talked together at different parts of the season, I want to keep my way. I know very well what I want to do and I know I am a coach and I have to accept the policies of the club.

"I have no problem with the club or Tony (Bloom, owner). I have to say thanks to Tony and his family, and Paul Barber, and his family because I can't forget what they gave me. They gave me the opportunity to know this club, this city, these fans and for that I cannot forget. I have to say thanks."