There was no drama presented in the final week of EPL matchday-38. Both Manchester City and Arsenal both won wins over their opponents. This result confirms Citizen’s superiority with their 10th title, and fourth in a row. City’s victory also legitimizes the status of Best Player in the 2023/2024 EPL season for “Fantastic” Phil Foden!
The title of best player in the Premier League (Player of the Season) was officially given to Phil Foden on Saturday (18/5/2024). This title also emphasizes City’s dominance in the Premier League this season. Because apart from being champions, players and their “formers” won individual titles.
Erling Haaland won the title of top scorer with his 27 goals, along with ex-City Cole Palmer, who is now wearing a Chelsea shirt, won Young Player of the Season.
Monday (20/5/2024), Manchester City successfully beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Phil Foden’s brace (two goals) was reduced by Mohammed Kudus’ acrobatic kick in the first half. However, Rodri completed his team’s winning party with a goal in the 59th minute. Meanwhile in London, the Emirates Stadium was filled with excitement when the team almost drew against Everton. The Toffees opened the scoring through Idrissa Gueye’s freekick in the 40th minute, before Takehiro Tomiyasu equalized three minutes later. Kai Havertz was finally able to determine Arsenal’s “hollow” victory in the 89th minute. Final score Arsenal 2, Everton 1.
Citizen closed the season with 91 points, two points ahead of the Gunners who returned to second place like last season. Meanwhile, Liverpool, who will be left by Jurgen Klopp at the end of this season, have successfully improved on last season’s achievements by occupying 3rd place. Aston Villa, despite losing 5-0 to Crystal Palace in the last match, has ensured that they qualify for next season’s Champions League as 1st place. 4.
Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Newcastle United are below him, with Europa League tickets definitely within Spurs’ grasp. Chelsea and Newcastle will wait for the results of the FA Cup Final between City vs Manchester United, to determine who will qualify for the Europa League and Conference League.
If City wins the FA Cup, then the Europa League ticket will belong to the Blues and the Conference League spot will belong to Newcastle. However, if United win, then the Red Devils will accompany Spurs in the Europa League next season. Chelsea will automatically be demoted to the Conference League, while the Magpies will just bite the bullet.
Foden’s two fantastic goals secured the match from the start
The Manchester City versus West Ham duel immediately started with a breakthrough from Pep Guardiola’s troops. Their mentality was set from the start, where in this match Pep relied on the agility of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden as his weapons.
From the main team, only goalkeeper Ederson is absent due to a fracture near his eye after playing against Spurs in the middle of last week. Mateo Kovacic sat on the bench, for City to put pressure on the Hammers through five players with attacking attributes. Doku, Foden, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
Josko Gvardiol and Kyle Walker moved up to double-inverted-full back to accompany Rodri. Behind the scenes, Steffan Ortega is only accompanied by Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias. Pep had intended to lock up West Ham from the start of the match!
It didn’t take long, in the 2nd minute Phil Foden shook Alphonse Areola’s net. Bernardo Silva’s pass from the left area was able to be continued with an accurate shot into the top right corner of West Ham’s net. A goal that certainly immediately made the blood of the audience at the Emirates Stadium sluggish.
In the 18th minute, Foden scores again! This time, Jeremy Doku’s movement on the left side was followed by a pass into the penalty box. Phil Foden was able to escape from the guard of three The Hammers players, immediately responding with a kick to the left side of Areola’s net. This goal also closed the 23 year old player’s brilliant season with 19 goals and 8 assists!
David Moyes’ West Ham gave a surprise through Mohammed Kudus’ acrobatic goal in the 42nd minute! James Ward-Prowse’s corner kick towards the far post created chaos in front of Ortega’s goal. Mo Kudus swiftly controlled the ball with his left foot, before turning around and doing a neat somersault. The ball poured into the City net.
In the second half, it was seen that Pep Guardiola still wanted his players to focus even though they had 70% control of the ball. A one-goal win is not yet safe, even though the results at the Emirates also looked even in the first half.
Rodri finally added City’s lead in the 59th minute! The City players’ short pass in the West Ham defensive area was unable to be stopped by the defense. Until Rodri got the chance to shoot easily in the penalty box, reminiscent of his goal against Inter Milan in the UCL Final last season.
ASL
