MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City’s jubilant fans ran onto the field in their thousands, singing and dancing as the Premier League champions’ title celebrations exploded into life at Etihad Stadium.
The mood was more muted at Emirates Stadium at the start of Arsene Wenger’s long goodbye to Arsenal.
City and Arsenal enjoyed big home wins in the league amid contrasting atmospheres on Sunday, a clear signal of the state the two clubs find themselves in with three weeks left of the season.
A 5-0 win over Swansea was the latest masterclass delivered by City, which has turned to chasing records after clinching the title in record-equaling time last weekend. There was a party feel throughout the game and, after the final whistle, City fans stormed the field and mobbed players in a good-natured celebration.
Hours earlier, Wenger had stepped onto Arsenal’s pitch before kickoff against West Ham, two days after announcing he would be leaving the London club after 22 years as manager. There was no acknowledgment of the 68-year-old Frenchman from the stadium announcer and fans only chanted about him in response to taunts from West Ham supporters.
Arsenal, languishing in sixth place and 33 points behind City, ran out a 4-1 winner in Wenger’s third-to-last home match in charge.
Another team celebrating was Chelsea, which beat Southampton 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to reach the FA Cup final. The team will return to the national stadium next month to play Manchester United, which beat Tottenham on Saturday.
In the other match Sunday, Stoke drew 1-1 at home to Burnley in the Premier League and is now four points from safety with three games remaining.
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