ON the final day of the season 2024/20235 of the English Premier League (EP), there was that slightest of hopes that something dramatic might happen.
But that was quickly put to rest as Phil Foden scored for Manchester City inside two minutes against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. One of the stand-out performers of the season, Foden added a second to ease the tension before the break as the reigning champions marched towards the inevitable.
Meanwhile, their closest rivals were having a tough time cracking open an obstinate Everton at the Emirates Stadium, even going a goal behind at one point.
But Mikael Arteta’s gallant challengers roused themselves to claw back a 2-1 win in the vain hope that Man City would slip up. The Gunner’s hopes were briefly lifted when news that the Hammers had pulled one back through Mohd Kudus raising the noise level inside the Emirates significantly.
But City made sure of a record-setting fourth consecutive title when Rodri scored on the hour mark with that match ending 3-1.
Bye-bye to Klopp

Meanwhile, Liverpool supporters bid an emotional farewell to iconic manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The outgoing German had revived the Merseyside outfit in his eight-and-a-half years in charge and leaves his successor a team brimming with promising young talent such as Jarell Quansah who scored in the 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Whilst some will be bitterly disappointed that a quadruple push ended with just a League Cup trophy, there is no doubt that Liverpool and Klopp contributed massively to a highly entertaining three-horse race for the title.
Elsewhere, all three newly promoted clubs were condemned to a swift return to the Championship with the gulf too wide between the divisions.
This is despite Burnley spending a tonne of money in transfer fees to bridge that gap. Luton Town and Sheffield United were also found wanting at the highest level and there was only a relegation scrap to speak of due to points deductions handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Spurs and Chelsea secured victories that earned European qualification while Newcastle who finished seventh will have to wait for the FA Cup final next weekend to find out if they, too, make it into Europe.
A place in the Conference League will be theirs provided Manchester City beat their crosstown rivals in the Wembley showcase this weekend (May 25). – May 20, 2024
Main image credit: The Independent