Manchester City's Class of '22 celebrated in style on Sunday evening after lifting their fourth Premier League title in five seasons.
Pep Guardiola's side enjoyed a well-earned night out following their famous victory against Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa, coming back from two goals down to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad - pipping rivals Liverpool to English football's biggest domestic prize.
Leading the celebrations was Jack Grealish, who was the only member of City's squad not to have won the Premier League title before Sunday. It's the first major honour of the Englishman's career following his £100million move to the Etihad last summer.
The celebrations started inside the Etihad's dressing room, as City welcomed yet another title. Grealish was quick to share his delight, posting a picture of himself drinking a deserved lager on Instagram. "The first of many," he wrote. It's unclear whether the former Villa skipper was referring to lagers, trophies or both.
The champions then headed out for a party. Grealish posed for a picture with Brandon Ashton, City's adored kitman. "Brandon is kind of the heart and soul of the dressing room really, he has this ability to take pressure off," said former City captain Vincent Kompany after the team's Premier League title triumph in 2017-18.
Kevin De Bruyne added at the time: "I would say the players are more close to the kitman and the physio. I'm very good with him, since day one. Sometimes, for me, it's nice to be with someone who's not a football person."
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Ashton was also photographed with De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez. According to The Sun, City celebrated at The Ivy in Manchester. The party went on past 3am, with several members of the squad and management team - including Guardiola - in attendance.
Guardiola's side were pushed all the way to the title by Liverpool, who were aiming to become the first English team in history to win the Quadruple. They can still complete a unique treble by lifting Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid after winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup earlier this season.
Grealish revealed the team's night out plans during a funny exchange with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville. "Before you go, Jack, can you just say something to Sophie?" asked Neville's colleague Micah Richards. "She's Gary's daughter, she loves you!"
To which Grealish replied: "What camera am I looking at? Hello Sophie, I hope you're bringing your dad out tonight, and we'll have a great night celebrating!"
Many believed City had blown their chance to win the title after Villa stormed into a 2-0 lead at the Etihad thanks to goals from Matty Cash and Phillippe Coutinho. Yet Rodri's equaliser and a brace from Ilkay Gundogan confirmed a dramatic 3-2 win in Manchester.
"It’s unbelievable," added Grealish at full-time. "After the third goal went in I ran onto the pitch and after that I ran straight down the tunnel, I was just crying my eyes out.
"When you’re a kid, all you want to do is play in the Premier League, once you do that, the next thing you want to do it win the Premier League. I can’t put it into words."
On playing against his boyhood club Villa, Grealish added: "Listen, we know how good of a side they were and they showed it today. But we knew with our quality that we can beat anyone and we certainly did that in the last 20 minutes. I can’t put it into words.
"What it means: Everything. When I signed here, people would say to me, friends and family, what do you actually want to win when you come here? The UCL [Champions League] or PL? For me, I’ve never won it so it’s always the Premier League. I’m so happy."
Grealish has endured a tough start to life at City, scoring just six goals and providing four assists. Yet he's keen to push on next season and become one of the team's leading stars.
"I know that I can kick on and I certainly will," added the 26-year-old. "I feel like I’ve played my part in certain games, even little things like the goal last week at West Ham which obviously meant a lot. I can kick on so much more, I know it myself, how much of a role I’ve got to play at this football club.
"All these guys, they've made me feel so welcome. My first day here was the worse day ever, I went into a new changing room, something I’ve never done. The lads here are unbelievable. I love them all so much."
Manager Guardiola has now won four Premier League titles since his appointment six years ago. "The last game is always special, a lot of emotion," said the Spaniard at full-time. "Aston Villa gave everything but the first goal changed everything. We had to handle it.
"We are legends. When you win the Premier League in this country four times in five seasons it is because these guys are so, so special. We will be remembered. Winning at home in front of our people is the best. The moment we equalised we had the feeling we had the chance to score the third.
"The magnitude of the achievement is related to magnitude of our rival and I have never seen a team like Liverpool in my life. Congratulations to Liverpool - they have made us better and better each week. I don't have the energy or desire to think about next season now. We are champions again."
