Manchester City’s second-string side receive a guard of honor from Chelsea ahead of their clash at the Etihad… as Kalvin Phillips, Cole Palmer and Co all start. in the Premier League champions’ final home game of the season.
- Manchester City received a guard of honor before their game against Chelsea
- City were handed the league title after Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest
- The hosts have fielded a second-string line-up for Sunday’s clash with the Blues
Manchester City’s starting line-up, heavily rotated, received a guard of honor from Chelsea ahead of their match on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side clinched the Premier League title on Saturday night, after Arsenal’s defeat at Nottingham Forest meant City could not catch up.
And, in traditional fashion, they received a guard of honor in their next match however several key City players – responsible for the league title – were not in the line-up.
Instead, the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Rico Lewis, Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez, who had only made a handful of starts between them on the season, all started.
Guardiola opted to rotate some of City’s usual starters such as Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish, all of whom were rested.
Manchester City received a guard of honor from Chelsea ahead of their clash on Sunday
The City team featured a number of back-up players after Pep Guardiola named a rotated line-up
Long-serving Kyle Walker led the team through the human tunnel formed by the visiting side, who applauded City onto the pitch.
There was uncertainty over when City’s league title would be confirmed, with many speculating that they would need a result against Chelsea to clinch it.
However, Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat the night before – which came as a result of Taiwo Awoniyi’s first-half strike – meant the Gunners could never catch up.
Despite a rotated squad, City raced into a 1-0 lead against Chelsea after a neat finish from Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez.
Many of the players, who have not featured often for City this year, will be hoping to prove their worth ahead of their crucial run-in.
Guardiola’s side could complete a historic Treble this season, with the FA Cup and Champions League finals still to play for.
They face city rivals Man United in the FA Cup before playing Serie A side Inter Milan shortly after their European final.
The likes of Erling Haaland (right) and Jack Grealish (left) were left on the bench for the game
