Premier League champions Manchester City defeated struggling Chelsea 1-0 at a packed Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.
With the title wrapped up, City expectantly ran the changes in Stefan Ortega, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez with Kai Havertz amongst the Blues alterations.
City needed just 12 minutes to go ahead as Palmer charged clear from midfield and set-up Alvarez to pick a spot in the area for a calm finish past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Alvarez was on course for a brace inside a few minutes from a switch of play by Foden, but his effort was blocked before Riyad Mahrez snapped the follow-up.
Chelsea struggled to get in advanced positions towards the half-hour mark and nearly presented the host a second from a teasing shot by Palmer, but Trevor Chalobah cleared off the line.
The Blues first opening did arrive ten minutes to halftime where Conor Gallagher got on the end of a back-post delivery and headed off the post.
Frank Lampard's side were still on the back-foot over ten minutes from halftime and could've conceded again through a header from Phillips following Mahrez's free-kick, but he hit the post.
Chelsea did have an opening a little later where a move involving former City man Raheem Sterling managed to drew a smart save off Ortega.
Sterling was close again moments apart through a long ball in the channels though after getting past Kyle Walker, had his shot cleared off the line by John Stones.
City looked to have gone two up in the last 20 minutes when Alvarez tapped in a cutback from Mahrez, but after a Video Assistant Review (VAR) it was ruled out as the Algerian handled in the build-up.
That then was the former Leicester City man's last contribution as he was substituted for the league's top-scorer Erling Haaland.
Haaland did have an opening shortly thereafter where he got in behind following a loose pass and fired across the face of goal, but the miss didn't matter as the champions bagged victory regardless.