A clinical finish from City’s frontman in the 12th minute was enough to see City prevail on a day where their supporters were enjoying celebrating a fifth English top-flight title within the last six years.

In truth, Pep Guardiola's team had started the brighter side in Manchester. Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden and Sergio Gomez all fired in attempts early on, with the opener then following. Cole Palmer had far too much space to play in Julian Alvarez, with the Argentinian then despatching effortlessly. It was his ninth league goal of the campaign.

Palmer, a graduate of the club’s academy, then tried his own luck after his earlier assist, but the youngster’s effort was well cleared off the line by Chalobah. After the early goal, City’s pressure extinguished a little. Raheem Sterling came close to netting against his former club just after the half an hour mark. Havertz had played through the former-Man City forward, but his left-footed strike was well saved by Ortega. It was Chelsea’s first clear chance of the contest and that encouraged an improved performance until half-time and beyond. Lewis Hall began to find room wide-left, while Conor Gallagher hit the post with a headed effort.

While City did look comfortable, there was always the chance of a Chelsea leveller in the second period given the slender scoreline at the break. As we attacked the away fans, Lewis Hall had two attempts saved by Ortega, first with his weaker right foot and then his left. Chalobah then glanced a header from a free-kick into the German’s gloves, before Sterling skilfully took on his compatriot Kyle Walker before hitting a low drive on target.

The game then started to fizzle out, despite VAR having to intervene to deny City a second. Mahrez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the lead up to Alvarez’s strike.

Team news

Frank Lampard rotated just under half of his starting XI that faced Nottingham Forest last weekend, as we switched to three-at-the-back. Wes Fofana was one of those to come in, after recovering from injury. Benoit Badiashile is the latest defender to be missing out due to injury, as he joins Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Ben Chilwell in the treatment room.

Carney Chukwuemeka made his first appearance under the stewardship of caretaker manager Frank Lampard, as he replaced Ruben Loftus-Cheek late on. Kalidou Koulibaly made his first appearance since mid-April.

The Citizens were crowned Premier League Champions for a third successive season on Saturday evening after Nottingham Forest’s victory over Arsenal. In reaction to that confirmation, Pep Guardiola made nine changes to his side to face the Blues.

Just Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji kept their place in the hosts’ starting XI from their midweek triumph over Real Madrid.

What’s next?

The Blues play once again in Manchester next time out as we take on Manchester United down the road from here on Thursday evening. We then host Newcastle United on the final day of the season next Sunday 28 May.

The lineups

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Kepa; W.Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chalobah; Azpilicueta (c), Loftus-Cheek (Chukwuemeka 81’), Enzo, Hall (Koulibaly 81’); Gallagher (Mudryk 68‘), Sterling (Madueke 68‘), Havertz (Pulisic 84’).

Unused subs: Mendy, Wady, Ziyech, D.Fofana.

Booked: Havertz, Enzo

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ortega, Walker, Akanji (Stones 56‘), Laporte (Rodri 78’), Sergio Gome (De Bruyne 78’), Phillips, Lewis, Mahrez (Haaland 73’), Foden, Palmer, Alvarez.

Unused subs: Ederson, Dias, Gundogan, Grealish, Silva.

Scorer: Alvarez (12’)

Referee: Michael Oliver