. City unfolds

With almost 90% of their starting XI on the bench at kick-off, Manchester City celebrated their fifth title in six years by beating Chelsea without forcing.

With this success, the Sky Blues are seven points ahead of Arsenal, while having one game less, a gap that masks the fierce fight that the two teams have fought almost to the end.

Facing a Blues certain to finish in the second half of the table and who have only one hurry, move on to the next season, City opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

Manchester City players Riyad Mahrez (l) and Erling Haaland during the match against Chelsea, on May 21, 2023 in Manchester © Oli SCARFF /

Wesley Fofana foolishly lost a ball in midfield, allowing Julian Alvarez to score with a cross 30 meters and two passes later (1-0), for City's 100th home goal this season in all competitions.

Phil Foden, from a clever little lob close to the post (29th) or Kalvin Phillips, from a header that skirted the line after hitting the post (58th), went close to 2-0.

For its part, Chelsea was signaled by Raheem Sterling who recalled the good memory of the Etihad he left last summer, on an attempt well blocked by Stefan Ortega (33rd), before Conor Gallagher also found the post of the head (36th).

At the final whistle, the pitch was invaded and evacuated so that the team and its public, still not satisfied with titles, could commune. But the holidays are still far away for City who can add an FA Cup on June 3 and especially the first Champions League in its history, on June 10, to its record.

. Brighton almost in C3

Brighton will be European next season, for the first time in its history, after beating Southampton (3-1), last and already relegated.

Under the leadership of Roberto de Zerbi, who arrived at the beginning of the season when Graham Potter gave in to the sirens of Chelsea, the Seagulls have had a historic season and are well on their way to finishing 6th and playing in the Europa League.

Only Aston Villa, seventh and virtual qualified for the Conference Europa League, could overtake them, but Unai Emery's club, who will host Brighton for the last day, have three points less and above all a goal difference of +4 against +20.

Brighton will also play a late midweek game against Manchester City.

Brighton made the break in the first act thanks to its Irish nugget Evan Ferguson, a powerful strike passed under the goalkeeper (1-0, 29th) and taking the penalty point a center from outside Kaoru Mitoma (2-0, 40th).

Southampton responded shortly before the hour mark through Mohamed El-Younoussi (2-1, 58th) and, four minutes later, VAR even cancelled out a Theo Walcott equaliser.

But Pascal Gross, with a strike from the left at the entrance of the box, finally gave air to the locals (3-1, 69th).

. Leeds miss their chance

Against West Ham, already saved and not demobilised by their qualification for the final of the Europa League Conference in midweek, Leeds again let slip a game after opening the scoring.

As against Newcastle (2-2) last Saturday, a volley from Rodrigo, receiving a long touch from Weston McKennie (1-0, 19th) had put the Peacocks in a good situation.

Leeds striker Crysencio Summerville (l) against West Ham defender Emerson Palmieri on May 21, 2023 in London © Ben Stansall /

But the Hammers equalized through Declan Rice, for his very likely last match at the London Stadium (1-1, 31st), before Jarrod Bowen (2-1, 72nd) and Manuel Lanzini (3-1, 90th+4) further complicated the situation of Leeds (18th) two points from Everton, first non-relegable.

On the last day, Leeds will host Tottenham, who can still hope to snatch a ticket for the C4, while the Toffees will receive Bournemouth who play nothing.

© 2023 AFP