Premier League
Like Mourinho and David Moyes, Solskjaer brought down by ‘noisy neighbours’ Man City
Curious, but it is true. Man City pushed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer towards the Manchester United exit door, just like they did with Jose Mourinho and David Moyes
Alas, Ole is no longer at the wheel. There’ll be a caretaker driver, then an interim drive and then a full-time driver.
But before you let the inner workings of Manchester United baffle you too much, bask in the knowledge that Manchester City have once again played a key part in the downfall of one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successors.
Sure, the Blues didn’t land the final blow, having shown the sort of restraint at Old Trafford two weeks ago that escaped Watford entirely on Saturday, when Claudio Ranieri’s team streamed giddily forward to score twice in injury time and romp to a 4-1 win over the beleaguered Reds.
Nevertheless, once you suffer a particularly chastening derby day defeat, things are only ever heading one way – as the examples below demonstrate.
March 25, 2014: Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City
Any notion of the United of David Moyes playing like Fergie’s boys had long since left the building by the time title-chasing City made the short trip across town for a re-arranged midweek derby.
In a sequence that was echoed in the final days of Solskjaer, United had been resoundingly beaten 3-0 by Liverpool on home turf nine days earlier and there was little doubt over the outcome after Manuel Pellegrini’s side led inside the first minute through Edin Dzeko.
The Bosnian striker volleyed a second after half-time and Yaya Toure lashed in a late third to ensure the scoreline at least partly reflected City’s total dominance.
What happened next
There were two last defiant flickers of life, as United racked up four-goal wins against Aston Villa and Newcastle United in their next two league fixtures.
But, not for the last time, Pep Guardiola proved to be a nuisance as his Bayern Munich dumped the Reds out of the Champions League. By the time United lost at Moyes’ former club Everton on April 20, they had no mathematical chance of returning to Europe’s top competition.
The reality of lost revenue brought out a seldom seen ruthless streak in the Glazer regime and Moyes was gone within a month of his derby humbling.
November 11, 2018: Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United
Jose Mourinho might have classed United’s second-place finish in 2017-18 among his finest coaching achievements but mere simpletons everywhere just noticed City had put together a record 100-point haul, broken a stack of records and finished 19 points clear.
There was already a nine-point gap by the time the Reds headed to the Etihad Stadium in November 2018 and a rampant start from City sought to banish them from the title picture.
David Silva’s 12th-minute opener was all Guardiola’s side had to show for a dominant opening 45 minutes, but Sergio Aguero crashed a trademark finish high past David de Gea to give them breathing space.
Anthony Martial pulled one back from the penalty spot against the run of play, but Ilkay Gundogan crowned a dazzling 44-pass move to put a bedraggled United out of their misery.
What happened next
Mourinho lasted a little longer than Moyes did after his last derby loss, but it was a slow and painful denouement.
A 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace followed the November international break and Young Boys were set to leave Old Trafford with the same scoreline until a last-gasp Marouane Fellaini winner.
That was Mourinho’s penultimate United win, as draws with Southampton and Arsenal followed. Valencia then beat them in the Champions League and Liverpool ransacked them 3-1 at Anfield to end Jose’s lengthy residence at the Lowry Hotel.
November 6, 2021: Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City
Although the scoreline was a touch more moderate, City’s win to leave Solskjaer on the brink had plenty in common with the wounds they inflicted upon Moyes and Mourinho.
In terms of being completely and comprehensively outplayed on home turf, it somehow outstripped the 2014 game. If Phil Foden had scored instead of clipping the outside of the post late on, City’s display would have had the definitive final flourish Toure supplied.
Bernardo Silva’s goal concluded a 27-pass move where every player touched the ball, in an echo of Gundogan’s effort. To borrow the famous commentary line from the 6-1, this was United not just beaten… humiliated.
What happened next
Unless you spent the weekend under a rock, you know all about what went on at Vicarage Road – slapstick defending, a Harry Maguire red card and all the other good stuff.
But perhaps most significant is what happened in the two weeks beforehand. Or, more accurately, what didn’t as United left Solkajaer in situ despite City putting the writing on the wall as emphatically as they did on everyone’s favourite Carlos Tevez poster.
Premier League
Arsenal Paint London Red with Premier League Victory Parade Despite Champions League Heartbreak
Thousands of jubilant Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of north London on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in 22 years, putting aside the disappointment of losing the UEFA Champions League final just 24 hours earlier.
The celebrations came less than a day after Arsenal suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest. Yet the setback did little to dampen the spirits of the club’s faithful, who turned out in huge numbers to honour a historic domestic triumph.
Players and coaching staff paraded through north London aboard an open-top bus, proudly displaying the Premier League trophy that Arsenal had finally reclaimed for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” side lifted it in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal had wrapped up the title before the final round of fixtures after establishing an unassailable lead over defending champions Manchester City, who eventually finished seven points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s side.
The league crown marked Arsenal’s first major trophy since Arteta guided the club to FA Cup success in 2020 during his debut season as manager. It also ended years of frustration after the Gunners had finished runners-up in the Premier League in each of the previous three seasons.
Red flares, fireworks and the sound of vuvuzelas filled the air as supporters celebrated a long-awaited return to the summit of English football.
“We’re not European champions, but we are champions of England, and that’s what matters right now,” said Arsenal supporter Julien Guillenenat. “We’re happy to celebrate with everyone.”
Another fan, 44-year-old Mathieu Garnier, believes the Premier League triumph has finally removed the psychological burden that had weighed heavily on the team.
“Three years in a row we finished second, and now that pressure is gone,” he said. “These players are going to be flying next season. I really believe that.”
Adding to the festivities was Arsenal’s women’s team, who joined the celebrations after their successful FIFA Champions Cup campaign this season.
Midfielder Declan Rice, signed from West Ham United in 2023 for a club-record £105 million, said the title triumph had silenced many of the club’s critics.
“People were pointing and laughing at us before,” Rice told Sky Sports. “What happened? They’re not laughing anymore. I love this team, I love this manager, and to see the joy we’ve brought to the fans is incredible.
“Next season we’re coming back for more.”
Despite the pain of falling short in Europe, many Arsenal supporters remain optimistic that the club will soon challenge again for continental glory.
Twenty-two-year-old fan Theo Grant believes the Champions League disappointment will only strengthen the squad’s resolve.
“Honestly, this loss will give the players even more motivation,” he said. “We’ll be back. I believe we’ll reach the final again next season.”
For Arsenal supporters, however, Sunday was not about what might have been in Europe. It was about celebrating the end of a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
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Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday and still face the risk of relegation from the Premier League in their final game of the season this weekend after goals either side of halftime from the home side’s Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos.
Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot from over 25 metres that Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute, electrifying the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as the home fans revelled in the misery of their North London rivals.
The Argentina midfielder turned provider for Chelsea’s second goal in the 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos, who scored from close range.
Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute, but the defeat means Tottenham remain two points above West Ham United, who currently occupy the last relegation spot.
However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their Premier League survival.
Chelsea, fresh from announcing former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season
The Blues, who lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, are one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who currently occupy the last of the Europa League spots.
Spurs had only themselves to blame for Tuesday’s defeat.
After Mathys Tel hit the post with a header in the 11th minute, they allowed Chelsea to dominate until Richarlison’s goal raised their hopes of rescuing the point they needed.
Substitute James Maddison looked sure to equalise in the 84th, but Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato stretched out a leg to block his angled shot.
The win was Chelsea’s first in the Premier League since March 4, giving their fans something to celebrate after a miserable run that included six consecutive league defeats.
It also means Spurs have only won once at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
-Reuters
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Arsenal F.C. have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City F.C. were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, ending the most dramatic title race of recent seasons and completing a remarkable transformation under manager Mikel Arteta.
The title triumph marks Arsenal’s first league championship since the legendary “Invincibles” side led by Arsène Wenger went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign.
For Arteta, it represents the crowning moment of a rebuilding project that began when he replaced Unai Emery in December 2019. The Spaniard inherited a struggling Arsenal side but gradually rebuilt the club into genuine title contenders, guiding them to second-place finishes in each of the previous three seasons before finally ending Manchester City’s dominance.
Arsenal appeared in danger of suffering another late collapse after surrendering a nine-point lead earlier in the campaign, particularly following City’s crucial victory over them at the Etihad Stadium in April.
However, the momentum shifted again when City stumbled with a draw against Everton, allowing Arsenal to seize control of the race.
The North London club responded impressively, winning four consecutive matches without conceding a goal, including Monday’s tense 1-0 victory over Burnley F.C. that piled pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side heading into their trip to Bournemouth.
City’s failure to secure victory finally confirmed Arsenal as champions, triggering emotional celebrations among supporters gathered around the Emirates Stadium.
Fans watching the decisive match in nearby pubs poured onto the streets at the final whistle, while thousands more marched toward the Emirates within minutes of the title being secured.
Arteta had admitted before the match that he expected it to be difficult watching City’s game because of the enormous stakes involved, but the Spaniard ultimately witnessed the completion of one of the most significant managerial achievements in modern Arsenal history.
The Gunners will officially receive the Premier League trophy after their final game of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Arsenal’s triumph could yet become part of an even greater achievement.
The club now have the opportunity to complete a historic double when they face Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Only five English clubs have previously managed to win both the league title and the European Cup in the same season, with Manchester City the last side to achieve the feat in 2023.
The title success also signals a changing of the guard in English football.
With Guardiola expected to leave Manchester City after a decade in charge, Arteta — once his assistant at City — is poised to become the longest-serving manager across England’s top four divisions, underlining how dramatically his status has risen since arriving at Arsenal less than seven years ago.
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