Premier League

MANCHESTER CITY star John Stones revealed two key factors that have helped him change position. The centre-back has transitioned into a midfielder this season.
John Stones is a five-time Premier League winnerCredit: Alamy
Stones, 28, has been key to City’s upturn in form since the World Cup with a positional tweak seeing him drift up the pitch to partner Rodri as a holding midfielder.
Pep Guardiola’s side lifted the Premier League title on Sunday and remain on course for the treble.
After securing a fifth title under Guardiola, Stones said: “It’s surreal, I never thought I’d ever win five Premier Leagues.
“I can’t put into words right now. Every one I’ve won has been special in a certain way, this one’s been so enjoyable with how we played and the different positions, I’ve really enjoyed it.
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“I always find it hard to speak about myself. What I’ve tried to over the past three seasons is get that consistency, that’s always key to find that rhythm.
“It’s about always being ready. That mindset of always being available.”
Stones is loving his new role and he revealed two key things that Guardiola told him to help him thrive.
He explained: “I think it’s such a unique position that you have to be spatially aware, I’ve had to learn and adapt in terms of knowing when I can take the ball.
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“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s given me a new outlook of positioning.
“Body shape and timing is so specific in that midfield role. The manager has simplified it for me, it’s about me trying to implement what he’s taught me.”
Stones will be hoping the Prem is just the first of his triumphs this year, with Man City to face Manchester United in the FA Cup final before the Champions League showpiece against Inter Milan.
On the thought of winning all three, he said: “The next goal is to keep everyone fit going into the FA Cup final, which is such a special cup for me personally against our rivals as well and then we can fully focus on the Champions League final.” More

IT was party time at the Etihad as Man City’s glam Wags got in on the action to celebrate their epic Premier League title win.The Cityzens had already secured a third championship in four years on Saturday, courtesy of Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest.
It was a family affair for Ederson as he celebrated Man City’s Premier League winCredit: Getty
Taylor Ward, Riyad Mahrez and daughter Mila are all smilesCredit: Reuters
Kevin De Bruyne and Michelle Lacroix pose next to the Premier League trophy with their broodCredit: Getty
Erling Haaland and girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen were seen in a rare sightingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
They were in action on Sunday against Chelsea – a game they won 1-0 thanks to a Julian Alvarez strike.
Afterwards, the team were presented with the trophy.
As they enjoyed the festivities on the pitch, their Wags and children joined the party.
Ederson and his wife Laes Moraes sat with the Premier League crown, alongside their children, Yasmin, Laura and Henrique.
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Riyad Mahrez and reality TV star Taylor Ward were all smiles, as their daughter Mila was hoisted onto the Algerian’s shoulders.
Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was flanked by his wife Michelle Lacroix and their brood, Mason, Rome and Suri as they posed for a snap next to the famous trophy.
Manager Pep Guardiola gave his 20-year-old daughter Maria a kiss on the head as he took in the incredible scenes.
It was a family affair for Pep, whose mother, father and brother were also spotted on the Etihad pitch.
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While his youngest daughter Valentina perched on his knee as they gazed at one another lovingly.
Erling Haaland and his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen were also seen in a rare sighting.
City’s celebrations began once the final whistle blew, and the players made their way to the dressing room before their trophy presentation.
Sky Sports cameras followed them inside and captured the wild scenes inside.
Spanish midfielder Rodri was spotted raising a beer with his team-mates and swigging from it wildly.
While hungry Bernardo Silva, the hero against Real Madrid in that 4-0 second leg massacre was spotted scoffing a pizza from a box.
Elsewhere, Jack Grealish was front and centre of the chorus line leading his team-mates and the backroom staff in song.
It was a family affair for boss Pep Guardiola, who was joined by his parents and brotherCredit: Reuters
Guardiola’s stunning daughter Maria was also seen posing with the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
Aymeric Laporte, Wag Sara Botello and their son Lucay pose for the camerasCredit: Reuters
Bernardo Silva and his Wag Ines Tomaz take in the emotional momentCredit: AFP
On the pitch, just moments later, the party began to gain momentum once the trophy was presented.
Erling Haaland was drenched in champagne by Kyle Walker as he held the Premier League crown aloft.
As has become a familiar sight in recent years, players and staff, including Guardiola, donned Man City shirts as they received their medals from Prem chief Richard Masters.
Skipper Ilkay Gundogan then hoisted the trophy in front of a gleeful Etihad Stadium.
On Saturday night, City’s stars were spotted jumping for joy and hugging one another at the club’s training ground minutes after the final whistle blew at the City Ground on Arsenal’s title challenge.
Captain Gundogan took to Twitter soon after to celebrate the club’s incredible achievement.
He wrote: “To have helped the club win a third straight Premier League title is something very special.
“The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is.

A pic with the Premier League trophy was a must for City’s starsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Haaland and girlfriend Isabel link arms romantically during the celebrationsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Mila cutely plays with dad Mahrez’s hair as Ward smiles adoringly at herCredit: Reuters
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“This squad is so talented and so special and to have been captain this season has been an enormous privilege.
“To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible. It has been a season I will never forget.” More

FORMER Spurs defender Serge Aurier taunted Arsenal after helping to end their title charge.The Nottingham Forest star, 30, who left Tottenham in 2021, played all 90 minutes of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the Gunners at the City Ground.
Serge Aurier enjoyed his side’s victory over ArsenalCredit: Getty
Those three points secured Forest’s Prem status — and also saw Manchester City crowned champions.
And Aurier clearly has not forgotten his ties to Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham.
He mocked Mikel Arteta’s outfit on his Instagram Stories by writing: “If we are not champions. They will not be champions too.
“My Spurs family.”
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Arsenal led the Premier League by eight points as recently as March.
But a poor run of form saw City clinch the title with three games to spare.
After his side’s latest poor result, Arteta admitted his side “must heal”.
The 41-year-old said: “I am incapable of thinking about it right now. We have to congratulate City.
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“It has been an incredible journey for us over 10 months competing with City, being ahead of them for so long.
“We have learned huge lessons. We have transformed a lot at this club.
“We have made huge steps, but the icing on the cake is to win a championship and we fell short.”
Mikel Arteta admitted his side ‘must heal’Credit: Getty More

THE party was in full swing as Man City’s stars celebrated winning the Premier League.The Cityzens saw off Chelsea at the Etihad, having already been crowned champions yesterday after title rivals Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest.
Jack Grealish leads the chorus line, with Julian Alvarez getting on on the act as Man City celebrated winning the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
Bernardo Silva was spotted devouring a pizza from a box as his team-mates celebrated
Spain midfielder Rodri raises a beer in triumph after Man City clinched the titleCredit: Sky Sports
Once the final whistle blew, the players made their way to the dressing room before their trophy presentation.
Sky Sports cameras followed them inside and captured the wild scenes inside.
Spanish midfielder Rodri was spotted raising a beer with his team-mates and swigging from it wildly.
While hungry Bernardo Silva, the hero against Real Madrid in that 4-0 second leg massacre was spotted scoffing a pizza from a box.
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Elsewhere, Jack Grealish was front and centre of the chorus line leading his team-mates and the backroom staff in song.
On the pitch, just moments later, the party began to gain momentum once the trophy was presented.
Erling Haaland was drenched in champagne by Kyle Walker as he held the Premier League crown aloft.
As has become a familiar sight in recent years, players and staff, including Guardiola, donned Man City shirts as they received their medals from Prem chief Richard Masters.
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Skipper Ilkay Gundogan then hoisted the trophy in front of a gleeful Etihad Stadium.
However, Chelsea fans were divided after their team gave Manchester City the guard of honour before kick off.
City manager Pep Guardiola decided to rest key players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan with the title already sealed and the FA Cup as well as Champions League still to play for.
Guardiola opted for back-up options, such as Stefan Ortega, Sergio Gomez, Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer.
Chelsea fans lamented his team selection online – and were not happy to see the “most expensive guard of honour” for City’s “B team”.
One fan tweeted: “Gave the reserves a guard of honour.”
Another posted: “We gave a guard of honour to Pep’s B team.”
A third wrote: “This has to be the most expensive guard of honour.”
On Saturday night, City’s stars were spotted jumping for joy and hugging one another at the club’s training ground minutes after the final whistle blew at the City Ground on Arsenal’s title challenge.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan took to Twitter soon after to celebrate the club’s incredible achievement.
He wrote: “To have helped the club win a third straight Premier League title is something very special.
“The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is.

“This squad is so talented and so special and to have been captain this season has been an enormous privilege.
“To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible. It has been a season I will never forget.”
Erling Haaland enjoyed a dance with his victorious team-matesCredit: Sky Sports
Jack Grealish and Man City backroom staff Brandon AshtonCredit: Sky Sports
Man City beat Chelsea 1-0 thanks to a Julian Alvarez goalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

CHELSEA fans ripped into interim boss Frank Lampard after his comments about young star Carney Chukwuemeka.The Blues have lost seven of their nine games since the Blues’ record scorer took over from Graham Potter at the beginning of April.
Frank Lampard benched Carney Chukwuemeka on SundayCredit: AP
Chukwuemeka only came on in the 81st minuteCredit: Getty
The latest of those came in another insipid display on Sunday as Manchester City celebrated clinching the Premier League title with a comfortable 1-0 win at the Etihad.
It leaves Chelsea in 12th place with two tough games remaining against Manchester United and Newcastle.
Given the circumstances, Blues supporters were baffled as to why talented 19-year-old midfielder Chukwuemeka was left on the bench until the 81st minute.
Earlier this week, Chelsea refused to release him to be a part of England’s U20 World Cup squad as it clashed with the end of the domestic season.
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When asked about not putting him on until the latter stages, Lampard, who is only in charge until Mauricio Pochettino takes over in the summer, said: “You’ve got to wait your time and have to understand.
“I want to get him minutes but I have to think about my job. I thought he did well when he came on.”
This is not a response that Chelsea fans have taken kindly to.
Reacting on social media, one said: “😭 what job. This is exactly what I was worried about. He’s busy trying to scrap out results that make him look better than actually develop the team for next season.”
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Another added: “Job? 7 defeats, 1 draw, and 1 win since he took charge of the club. What job are we talking about here?”
A third replied: “Think about my job 😂😂😂😂 you’ve lost virtually every game mate, this guy isn’t serious.”
And a fourth responded: “F***ing hell, he has zero self-awareness.”
Chukwuemeka’s substitute appearance at the Etihad was his first minutes since Lampard returned to Chelsea.
He had not been included in Lampard’s previous eight squads.
The teenager, who joined on a six-year deal from Aston Villa in the summer, has made 13 appearances for the Blues this season. More