The moments you might have missed as Manchester City celebrated their historic Premier League title on the Etihad pitch on Sunday.
Kyle Walker ran up the steps in the Etihad Stadium tunnel shortly before lifting the Premier League trophy, declaring ‘I’m too old for this’ to a nearby camera.
He showed all the youth of a player lifting his first trophy as he capped his debut year as Manchester City captain with a sixth Premier League title. His first as skipper, and he was running around like a teenager when he commandeered a huge ‘champions’ flag from a City staff member and ran half the length of the pitch with it.
Walker had previously pulled rank as captain just before collecting his medal, as he insisted three academy youngsters who had been on the bench at times this season were on the podium to celebrate with the senior players. His gesture offered a pause in proceedings of the trophy presentation, but Walker was keen to get everyone involved on stage as the three teens awkwardly milled around.
The captain led City out with his children, including a newborn, who reappeared at full-time still asleep in his arms. It has been a turbulent season for him off the field, but a very productive one on it. “I feel young. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” he said.
“I come to training every day so willing to learn. I think once that goes you know that it is probably time to pack up. But this group of lads keep you on your toes and keep you wanting to improve every day.”
Walker was mixing his duties as father and captain with being a kid again with some silverware. At one point he was pouring a bottle of beer down Jack Grealish’s neck. It was like last year’s parade all over again, just slightly earlier in the celebrations.
City fans gave big cheers for the usual suspects when they were announced one by one to collect their medals. John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and especially Phil Foden. The bigger cheers came for some unlikely heroes, though.
Stefan Ortega for his save at Tottenham. Oscar Bobb (Bobb, Bobb) for his goal at Newcastle. City won the title by two points, Bobb won two at St. James’ Park. They are the fine margins that were the difference between four in a row and a valiant runners-up medal.
Scott Carson, of course, got a huge cheer as the first player up on the podium. He may leave City this summer as he is out of contract, but his contribution to the squad cannot be underestimated. Goalkeeper coach Richard Wright got a good reception when the staff were announced.
Grealish may not have played on the final day, and admitted to Sky Sports that he has struggled off the pitch this season. He was predictably at the heart of celebrations. He posed with Haaland for a video, holding up three fingers to represent his three titles since arriving at City. He then pointed to Haaland, and held up two fingers for Haaland’s two titles, causing the pair to walk off laughing.
Haaland spoke to father Alfie on the pitch, who was interviewing for Norwegian TV, and took time out with some young family members, draped in a Norwegian flag. At one point, Haaland was en route for another interview when he was stopped by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who was speaking to Guardiola.
Al Mubarak gave Haaland a huge hug, offered some words of congratulations in his ear and the pair shared a joke before Haaland continued on his way. The chairman then made an effort to go and hug as many players and staff as possible.
City have won titles before and celebrated many trophies at this stadium. But Sunday showed there is clearly still a desire to keep winning and a sheer determination to enjoy it when they do win.