Kind Chelsea

As it was four years ago, a Chelsea result has helped seal a momentous Premier League title. Another act of selfless victory by the Blues. Well, sort of.

When their comeback draw against Tottenham handed Leicester the title in 2016, the Foxes were already eight points clear with three games to go prior to the match. And last night against Manchester City, Liverpool were already over 20 points clear.

So it was more of a case of bringing forward the inevitable for the Blues, although there is a playful coincidence that on both occasions it has been for such a historic title win. Leicester’s was a fairy tale beyond belief in 2016, while Liverpool’s romp to the title this season has been 30 years in the waiting.

And on both occasions, it featured the second place team having some kind of meltdown.

Their 2016 match with Spurs has been infamously dubbed the ‘Battle of the Bridge’, after frustration boiled over into unadulterated rage. Of the 14 Tottenham players who made an appearance that night, only five finished the match without a booking. And not to mentioned blowing a two goal lead, with Eden Hazard’s half time introduction helping to facilitate that crumble.

While City didn’t quite have a meltdown like this, they struggled against an organised and efficient Chelsea side who broke up the pitch with devastating speed - in large thanks to the excellence of Christian Pulisic.

And to turn to the xG charts knocks the Citizens down further. According to Understat, Chelsea were xG victors with 4.21 compared to City’s 0.69. This shows Chelsea were actually wasteful with some of their chances.

Although some of that wastefulness can be negated by Fernandinho’s palming away of Tammy Abraham’s goal bound effort. Kudos must be giving to the cameraman and BT Sport’s director for the choice of shot during the VAR check for this incident.

Despite it being a terrific and end to end game, the slow zoom on Fernandinho’s face while awaiting what he knew to be a penalty and a red card for himself was absolutely glorious. The tactical foul to end all tactical fouls.

But let’s not let a few poor displays from Man City this season take away from Liverpool’s achievement.

The Reds had a near perfect season in 2018/19. They got 97 points, lost once and somehow managed to finish second. It’s likely that they will better they will better this and Man City’s total of 98 points from last season.

So regardless of how the competition has slipped away, Liverpool have continued to rise to a near perfect side. Nothing, including the shenanigans of lockdown football, should take away from their achievement.

City will look to rebuild and to challenge once again, but Chelsea themselves might now be fancying a go after giving Liverpool a very minor helping hand.

The additions of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner spell exciting times for the Blues. After a period of dominance from Liverpool and City, Chelsea are preparing to throw themselves into the mix as well.

Next season could be an exciting contest with a few more challengers (even, perhaps, Manchester United), but for now Liverpool can bask in the glory of their title victory.

Jurgen Klopp can ‘dad-dance’ till his cargo shorts drop, Trent Alexander Arnold can do a drunken TV interview, and James Milner can drink copious amounts of tea.