City down West Ham to clinch fourth consecutive Premier League title

Phil Foden hit a glorious first-half double as Manchester City outclassed West Ham 3-1 on a frantic final day of the season to become the first club in history to claim four successive Premier League titles.

After winning 2-0 at Tottenham on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s side held a crucial two-point lead over Arsenal and knew a win at a sun-kissed Etihad on Sunday would see them wrap up a sixth English crown under the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

England midfielder Foden showed why he was voted Premier League player of the season with two magical finishes (2′ and 18′) to ease the tension inside the opening 20 minutes.

But they could not find a rapid third goal despite swarming all over the visitors as Mohammed Kudus produced a stunning overhead kick (42′) to give the under-siege Hammers – who finished their season ninth in David Moyes’ final match as manager – unlikely hope.

That was quickly snuffed out when Rodri slammed the vital third into the net from 18 yards on 59 minutes to prompt wild scenes of celebration from Guardiola, his coaching staff and the home fans.

They win their latest title by two points with Mikel Arteta’s second-placed Arsenal finishing their own outstanding season with a 2-1 win over Everton at the Emirates.

Only former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson – 13 between 1993 and 2013 – has claimed more Premier League trophies than Guardiola at City.

City will bid to complete the traditional domestic double when they face rivals United in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday a year after their 2-1 win over their city foes in the showpiece match.

Like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Pep Guardiola is building a dynasty as much as dominance as Manchester City manager. Their ongoing success at the elite level of the English game is perhaps best summed up by the rampaging Spain midfielder Rodri, who scored his all-conquering side’s third goal to ensure he astonishingly ended his own season unbeaten in the Premier League. He won 27 matches and drew seven with City losing three times when he wasn’t in the team.

Rodri last tasted defeat in the Premier League 50 matches ago. When Rodri plays, City tend not to lose. And when he plays well alongside Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, there a few teams in the world game who can live with such a formidable sporting force of nature.

Difficult to believe the world-class England playmaker is still only 23 such is the level of authority and maturity he displays for City at the heart of their midfield. He finishes a quite magnificent campaign with 19 goals and eight assists after knocking the stuffing out of West Ham with two majestic finishes on a wonderful day for his club.

Has now won a remarkable six Premier League titles at City, and there appears plenty more in the tank if his level of desire remains the same. “I never get bored with it [winning trophies],” he said. “There is no better feeling than winning something.”

Manchester City: Ortega 7, Walker 7, Dias 7, Akanji 7, Gvardiol 7, Rodri 8, De Bruyne 8, Silva 8, Foden 9, Doku 8, Haaland 6 Subs: Ake 6, Kovacic 6

West Ham United: Areola 8, Coufal 6, Zouma 6, Mavropanos 6, Cresswell 6, Emerson 6, Ward-Prowse 6, Soucek 6, Paqueta 6, Kudus 8, Antonio 6 Subs: Alvarez 6, Earthy 6, Ings 6

2′ GOAL! (FODEN) MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 WEST HAM A dream start for the champions as Foden thumps a finish high into the net from the Silva pass. What a finish from outside the box. Top left-hand corner.

18′ GOAL! (FODEN) MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 WEST HAM Surely the title party can begin now as Foden pops up again to add the second. Doku with a lovely pass and Foden passes the ball into the net from 14 yards with his left foot. A superb finish. Didn’t hit at it. Strokes it. A 2-0 lead. Game, set and match surely.

42′ GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 WEST (KUDUS) A stunning overhead kick from the West Ham player. Took one touch from the corner before thumping the ball into the net with a brilliant finish. Just under the bar. That is a magical finish. Powerful and no chance for Ortega. Well now. Still life in this one yet.

59′ GOAL! (RODRI) MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 WEST HAM Cometh the hour, cometh the main man. Ball breaks to Rodri on the edge of the box. Passes the ball into the net from 18 yards or so. Areola can’t get down to it. 3-1. And surely game over now. Surely?

88′ WEST HAM HAVE GOAL RULED OFF Tomás Soucek handles the ball. Clear decision as he slapped the ball into the net using his hand from the corner. Wonder why the referee missed that call? No matter.

90+5′ MANCHESTER CITY ARE CHAMPIONS! A historic fourth straight Premier League title is delivered by Pep Guardiola’s side, the first in history to achieve the feat as Pep and David Moyes embrace during the closing minutes of added time. The stoppage time was a non-event. And on come the City fans to celebrate a sixth Premier League title under Pep. A deserved day of triumph for the dominant side in the English game. They win the title by two points ahead of Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirates.