BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 MAN CITY: Pep Guardiola's side have missed the chance to take the title race to the final day of what will be his final season in charge
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola looks set to leave the Premier League without a title in his final season(Image: Getty Images)
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You could almost hear Arsenal’s celebrations down on the South Coast. Manchester City could not give Pep Guardiola a dream leaving present and instead Bournemouth gift-wrapped the title for Arsenal.
There was no fairytale ending for Guardiola as City could not muster one last heroic effort for the greatest manager their club has ever seen.
Guardiola will have to settle for just the two trophies this season - the Carabao Cup and FA Cup to make it 20 pieces of silverware in 10 glorious years - as Arsenal scooped the biggest prize of all.
It has been an incredible race as the rivals have gone toe-to-toe but finally Arsenal have got the better of City. The away fans chanted: “One more year, one more year Guardiola.” But it was all in vain.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his players will have watched on, urging Bournemouth to finish the job for them. And that is exactly what they did.
Arteta and his players have earned the champagne and celebrations after the greatest night in 22 years as they finally ended the long wait to be crowned champions.
City gave everything, as they dug deep for one last heroic effort to at least take the title race until the final day and the chance to give Guardiola a dream send off on the final day.
But it was not to be. For once, City were outrun, out-passed and out-pressed. Bournemouth produced an incredible performance as they are chasing their own Champions League dream.
Arsenal fans
Arsenal fans can finally celebrate(Image: Johnny Goldsmith)
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Erling Haaland equalised deep into injury time but by then it was too little too late. The title had gone.
It was Guardiola who said before kick-off that all the talk - and the worst kept secret that he will leave in the summer - was not a distraction and it had “absolutely zero” effect on his team’s preparations.
Surely it did. Surely these City players would have been even motivated to win for their departing manager. But, ultimately, even super heroes run out of energy.
City won the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday and it was one hell of an ask to come to Bournemouth just three days later. It was win-or-bust - and City could not produce another miracle. Three games in seven days was too much even for City.
Guardiola went over to the away fans at the final whistle but he and the rest of the City players looked shell-shocked. They were outplayed.
Arsenal
Arsenal have been crowned as champions for the first time since 2004(Image: Johnny Goldsmith)
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Bournemouth had the best player on the pitch in Alex Scott as the midfielder ran the show, dictated the pace and set the tempo. It would be unforgivable if England do not take him to the World Cup.
It was Scott who started the move for Bournemouth’s 39th minute goal. Marcus Tavernier took over, Adrien Truffert raced down the left and then his wonderful pull back found Junior Kroupi who curled a shot into the top corner.
Arsenal have been admirers of Kroupi - and now you can bet they like him even more. City were terrific in spells as they pinned Bournemouth back but they have been inconsistent away from home this season and been undone by losing gas in the second half.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland's late goal was mere consolation(Image: Getty Images)
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Try as they might, City just could not turn it around. Guardiola threw on Rayan Cherki, Savinho, Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush but even the cavalry could not save City this time.
Haaland got an equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time as City’s never-say-die spirit lives on. Rodri hit the post and then Haaland fired in the rebound. But it was too little too late.
But there should be no excuses. They finished runners-up to Arsenal and they are very worthy champions. Last month, Arsenal lost at Etihad and surrendered top spot only to come again and win the title. Any team that sees off the might of City and Guardiola really deserves it.
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