Chelsea beat Man City 2-1 to hand league title to Liverpool

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's Christian Pulisic scores their first goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Julian Finney/Pool via REUTERS

A superb solo goal by Christian Pulisic and a second-half Willian penalty earned Chelsea a 2-1 home win over Manchester City, a result that handed Liverpool the Premier League title, their first league championship triumph in 30 years.

The result failed to tell the story of a fast and incident-filled encounter where City dominated, claiming 65% possession but needed an exquisite free kick from former Chelsea player Kevin De Bruyne to get on the scoresheet.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's Christian Pulisic celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Julian Finney/Pool via REUTERS

Chelsea had to defend but took their chances to move five points ahead of Manchester United in the battle for fourth place and a coveted Champions League spot.

The ever-energetic Pulisic, who was rewarded with a start by boss Frank Lampard after coming on as substitute to score against Aston Villa on Sunday, exploited a mix-up between Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Guendogan after a City set piece.

The American ran from the halfway line before confidently slotting the ball past Ederson to open the scoring in the 36th minute.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's N'Golo Kante in action with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

De Bruyne put City level with his free kick that rose over the wall and dipped into the net 10 minutes into the second half.

City, sporting their dayglow yellow and orange away kit, were all over the London side at the start of the second half, as if looking to wear them down on a warm evening. There were chances for Raheem Sterling who hit the post when free on goal and sent another ball just wide.

Mendy, De Bruyne and substitute David Silva were also constant threats down the wings.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS / Paul Childs / Pool

It was during a rare foray into the City area that Chelsea earned quick chances for Pulisic and substitute Tammy Abraham before Fernandinho performed a volleyball-like slap off the line and VAR confirmed the penalty.

Fernandinho was sent off and Willian calmly scored from the spot in the 78th minute.

The result leaves City on 63 points with Liverpool on an unassailable 86.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's Andreas Christensen in action with Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

The COVID-19 pandemic meant Liverpool had to wait three months longer for their first top-flight title since 1990, when they won under manager Kenny Dalglish before the inception of the Premier League.

Last season Manchester City pipped them to the title by one point and coach Pep Guardiola was quick to praise the new champions.

"Well deserved. They (Liverpool) have played an incredible season," the Spaniard told the BBC.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Manchester City's Fernandinho is shown a red card by referee Stuart Attwell, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

"Two seasons ago we were 100 points and they finished more than 25 points behind. Last season they didn't recover the distance and this season they went the distance.

"We have to learn from this season and improve for the next one."

(Reporting by Clare Lovell; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's Willian celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Referee Stuart Attwell awards a penalty to Chelsea, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's Olivier Giroud in action with Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Julian Finney/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan in action with Chelsea's Olivier Giroud, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Julian Finney/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne in action with Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - June 25, 2020 Chelsea's Pedro in action with Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS