LONDON, (Reuters) – The curtain fell on one of the most dramatic Premier League title races for years yesterday with Manchester City acclaimed as champions while Liverpool looked on from the wings dreaming of what might have been.
City avoided any last-minute twists in a season when the lead at the top changed hands 24 times to beat visitors West Ham United 2-0 ensuring the league trophy returned to the Etihad Stadium for the second time in three seasons.
Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 against a Newcastle United side that finished with nine men at Anfield but it proved an empty victory for manager Brendan Rodgers, captain Steven Gerrard and the rest of the deflated team in red.
Liverpool’s only hope of ending a 24-year wait to be crowned champions was if City lost and they won but that outcome never looked remotely likely as Manuel Pellegrini’s side dominated West Ham from the first minute to the last.
There was a massive roar at the Etihad when the final table was flashed on to the giant screens showing City with 86 points, Liverpool on 84, Chelsea 82, Arsenal 79, Everton 72, Tottenham Hotspur 69 and deposed champions Manchester United on 64.
Goals from Samir Nasri after 39 minutes and captain Vincent Kompany 10 minutes later ensured City’s triumphant march to the title was completed with a comfortable victory.
City’s Chilean coach Pellegrini, in his first season in England, became the first non-European to guide a team to the English title and told Sky Sports: “It’s a very special time.
“My first year is not easy to get used to English football but I think I managed a great group of players.
“But big teams cannot be satisfied with one title. It’s very important. Celebrate, today, tomorrow and Monday and on Tuesday start working for next season because this club and players deserve more titles.”
Chelsea finished third after a 2-1 win at bottom side Cardiff City while fourth-placed Arsenal rubber-stamped Norwich City’s drop into the second tier with a 2-0 win at Carrow Road.
Aaron Ramsey scored a stunning goal from an acute angle while defender Carl Jenkinson got his first for the Gunners.
