Manchester City’s players finally got their hands on the Premier League trophy on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side had been confirmed as champions on April 15 when rivals Manchester United fell to a shock defeat at the hands of West Brom, but they had to wait until after their penultimate home game of the season to celebrate properly.
The match action was slightly underwhelming — with City stuttering to a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield — but that did not stop fans and players celebrating what has been a fine season domestically.
Manchester City’s players lifted the Premier League trophy in front of their fans at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon
City’s stars switched into party mode to celebrate on a stage in the middle of the pitch after drawing 0-0 with Huddersfield
Brazilian quartet Fernandinho, Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Danilo (left to right) soaked up their moment of glory
Benjamin Mendy was soaked with Champagne as the former Monaco left back raised the Premier League trophy aloft
Supporters streamed onto pitch after the final whistle, after one fan had entered the field of play during the match when he was ejected by security with the help of City goalkeeper Ederson.
Ederson again did his bit to clear the pitch after full time, pointing fans back to the stands to allow for the trophy presentation to begin.
Once the pitch had been cleared and a stage set up, the City players and staff returned from their dressing room wearing shirts with ‘Champions 18’ printed on the back.
Manager Guardiola was the first man to receive his Premier League medal, while club captain Vincent Kompany went up last.
Before City’s players got to lift the trophy, they managed to knock it off its podium and onto the floor. This happened as the squad said a boisterous farewell to midfielder Yaya Toure, who is set to leave City this summer after eight seasons and three Premier League titles.
‘It’s very special,’ Toure later told Sky Sports. ‘Today we were OK but we fully deserve it this year. This group are younger and full of energy and enthusiasm. It is fantastic to be part of this team.’
There was a pitch invasion following the final whistle as City fans streamed onto the field of play to celebrate their title win
The pitch invasion came despite a club request, which was shown on the big screen, for supporters to remain in their seats
One City supporter, dressed in shorts and a baseball cap, paraded a banner which read: ‘Premier League champions 2017/18’
Another banner paid tribute to Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson, who is recovering after having emergency surgery
One City fan dressed in a comical sumo suit as he enjoyed his moment on his side’s hallowed turf in the Sunday sunshine
City ace Ederson was not impressed by the pitch invasion and was seen pointing fans back to the stands while looking stern
Ederson was mobbed by supporters who wanted hugs and selfies but shot stopper was not interested in entertaining them
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson had earlier tackled a lone pitch invader who interrupted the match during the second half
After Ederson’s assist, five members of security personnel dressed in yellow and black escorted the young man off the pitch
Before City’s players got to lift the trophy, they managed to knock their precious prize off its podium and onto the floor
The trophy was dislodged from its resting spot while City players said a boisterous farewell to midfielder Yaya Toure (hidden)
The ribbons on the Premier League trophy blew in the wind as it fell onto the turf before being rescued by a member of staff
Toure, seen holding his third Premier League trophy, is expected to leave City this summer after eight years in Manchester
Guardiola was lifted and thrown into the air by his players during their celebrations.
Once he had his feet back on the ground, the Spaniard stated his intention to win the title again next season.
He said: ‘England is a special place and is so tough. Today we saw it. You never know if you are going to win, but I had no doubt what I had to do.
‘You win or lose, you have to try and do what you believe. Today was proof we can do better, 11 players were playing in the Premier League.
‘We lost a bit of focus, but that is normal. To make back-to-back titles in this league will be tough, but we accept the challenge.’
Manager Pep Guardiola laughed and smiled as he was lifted and thrown into the air by his players during their celebrations