Manchester City champion, Klopp’s farewell, the storm at Man United… The lessons of the last day

Triple reigning English champions, Manchester City retained their crown for the fourth year in a row on Sunday: a first in the history of the Premier League.

France Télévisions – Sports Editorial

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The joy of Rodri, scorer of Manchester City's third goal against West Ham, May 19, 2024. (AFP)

As is often the case in recent seasons across the Channel, we had to wait until the last day of the championship to know the identity of the new king of English football. And as is often the case again, it was Manchester City who took this crown, after a fierce battle with Arsenal.

The party will therefore continue in part of the Mancunian city on Saturday, while in the other camp – that of Manchester United – it is a grimace, since the Red Devils risk not playing in the cup of Europe next season: a first in ten years. An evening full of sadness also at Liverpool, for the last of Jürgen Klopp, but also at Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United, all three relegated to the Championship.

The title for Manchester City, at the end of the suspense

Like last season, Arsenal will have tried everything, until the last day, to overthrow Manchester City. But the three-time reigning English champions are used to these long-distance duels for the title. They did not tremble, during this last day approached with two points in advance as they received West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens quickly killed the suspense thanks to a double from Phil Foden.

A child from Manchester and best player in the Premier League, the Englishman perfectly launched the Mancunian festivities, while Arsenal spluttered their football against Everton (the Gunnerrs finally won 2 to 1). It didn’t matter what happened at the Emirates Stadium for City, who finally won 3-1 against West Ham to claim their tenth English championship title, the sixth in the last seven seasons. Better yet: Manchester City becomes the first English club to be crowned four years in a row. Historical.

Liverpool: Jürgen Klopp’s farewell

Long neck and neck with Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race, Liverpool had nothing left to play at the end of the season, after stalling in the final sprint. Certain of being third in the Premier League, the Reds wanted, against Wolverhampton, to say goodbye to Jürgen Klopp, who is leaving the Liverpool bench after nine seasons spent on the banks of the Mersey.

Welcomed like a king by his public, the German coach took care of his exit. Faced with Wolves quickly reduced to ten, the Reds unfolded (2-0) and confirmed their qualification for the Champions League alongside Manchester City (1st), Arsenal (2nd), and the sensation Aston Villa (4th) .

Chelsea returns to Europe, Manchester United on the brink of the abyss

The Blues are finding color again. Deprived of the European Cup this season after a catastrophic 2023-2024 financial year, Chelsea players have set course towards the end of the season. Thanks to their final victory at home against Bournemouth (2-1), French teammates Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku and Benoît Badiashile snatched sixth place in the Premier League at the last minute, qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

A rebirth of Chelsea which deprives two other big names of a European qualification: Newcastle (7th) and especially Manchester United (8th). For the first time in ten years, and only the second since 1990, the Red Devils risk not performing on the continental scene next season. The latter, however, will have one last chance with the FA Cup final on May 25, against… Manchester City. In case of victory, United would compete in the Europa League. In the event of a defeat, Newcastle would be sent there, City having already qualified for the Champions League.


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