Lampard’s men handed City a 2-1 defeat which inevitably gave Liverpool the title
Liverpool are officially the 2019/2020 Premier League champions after rivals Manchester City succumbed to a dramatic 2-1 victory to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, June 26.
In a thoroughly entertaining game, a resurgent Chelsea downed Guardiola’s 10 men courtesy of Christian Pulisic and a Willian penalty.
City went into the game needing nothing short of victory to at least delay the inevitable which is Liverpool’s coronation as new champions. Amid all the pressure, City fell behind in the 36th minute against the run of play when Pulisic capitalized from a Benjamin Mendy error to slot home for his second goal in as many matches.
City emerged with more intensity in the second half and it eventually paid off when courtesy of their best player of the season Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian scored his 10th league goal of the season with a sublime freekick after Riyad Mahrez was fouled just outside the penalty area.
The outgoing Premier League champions will have themselves to blame for not converting their chances while the scores were level, with Sterling guilty of missing a great chance after a quick counter attack.
City were clearly in nervy mood with so much at stake in the game and they were made to pay as another swift attack in the 76th minute saw a goal line melee which resulted in Fernandinho handling the ball in the area. Fernandinho was effectively sent off and the penalty converted by Willian to all but seal City’s fate as outgoing champions.
As far as Chelsea is concerned, the win was significant for their hunt for Champions League football as they moved five points clear off Manchester United in fifth. Manchester City will take solace in the fact that they can still win a treble this season as they are still in the hunt for the FA Cup and Champions League.
