The Etihad Stadium's PA announcer had warned the fans not to invade the pitch, yet as soon as the full-time whistle blew, thousands of Manchester City supporters stormed onto the playing surface and ran towards their heroes.  

Who would have the heart to blame them? Their beloved team just cruised to a third successive Premier League title and comfortably defeated Chelsea 1-0 thanks to a smart effort from Julian Alvarez. 

Alvarez's goal meant City have netted 100 goals at the Etihad Stadium this season, equaling the record for most home goals scored in all competitions in a single season by an English top-flight club.

While second-placed Arsenal's defeat to Nottingham Forest had already ensured a fifth title in six seasons for Pep Guardiola's side, their all-round performance against Chelsea spoke volumes. Despite putting superstars such as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson on the bench, the team still marked their title by winning a 12th consecutive league game. 

Only Manchester United's legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson had previously managed to win three straight English titles. 

"All Premier Leagues are special. Always it's so difficult to win it," said Guardiola after the victory. "We had to push Arsenal and wait if they dropped some points. They did. We were there. You never know how we are going to respond but the team was outstanding."

City midfielder Jack Grealish added, "It is mad. I spoke to some of the lads not a while ago and said 'imagine you have to win 12 games in a row to win the league'. We have so much talent and we feel unstoppable. 

"I feel so much more confident in this team. I feel fitter and back to what I know, what I can do. This is why Man City bought me and I have so much to offer." 

Erling Haaland, who has scored a record-breaking 36 goals in 34 Premier League matches, said, "It is unreal. I don't know what to say. I am so happy. These are the memories I will remember for the rest of my life... Debut season, 36 goals, Premier League trophy and two more finals to come. Not bad."

For City, the Premier League title win could be just the start of a historic treble of trophies this season, with the finals of the Champions League and FA Cup still to come. 

"We have two massive finals. To say we're up there with the greatest Premier League teams of all time we have to go and conquer some of that," observed City defender Kyle Walker. 

"This group of lads are professionals and winners. Rest assured we are not finished. We have the FA Cup against our bitter rivals and then the Champions League. We will celebrate tonight and then move on to try and create history."

The burning desire to win "the treble" was echoed by Guardiola. "The feeling I have is that if even we win five Premier Leagues under me we still have the Champions League to win. But we have had fun in all that period here still 

"There is a part that sometimes can be unfair for the fact you have to win the Champions League to give credit or value to what you have done but you have to accept it and I think it's good. 

"I know my era will not be complete if we don't win the Champions League. Sometimes, playing with this pressure is so nice and necessary. We tell each other a lot that we have to do it.  

"But if we are not able to do it and the club continues in this way sooner or later we will do it. We have to try."