LONDON: Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday after an incredible fightback which saw them score twice in injury time to beat QPR 3-2 and seal the title on goal difference.
City’s dreams of a first title in 44 years appeared to be in tatters as 10-man Rangers led 2-1 after 90 minutes courtesy of goals from Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie following Pablo Zabaleta’s opener.
But as Manchester United prepared to celebrate snatching a 20th league title following their 1-0 win at Sunderland, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero struck twice in two minutes to seal the most enthralling title duel in years.
“The last few minutes were incrdible. This is for our supporters, they deserve this,” City manager Roberto Mancini said.
“To win like this is incredible. I have never seen a finish like this,
“We had a lot of chances, we deserve to win this championship. It’s fantastic. After 44 years I dedicate this to all our supporters. It’s a crazy season, crazy last minutes.”
In the other issues to be settled on Sunday, Arsenal clinched third place with a 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion while Tottenham sealed fourth place with a 2-0 win over Fulham at White Hart Lane.
Arsenal sealed third place and a guaranteed spot in next season’s Champions League as a pair of blunders by goalkeeper Marton Fulop sealed a 3-2 victory at West Bromwich Albion.
United win in vain
Meanwhile, Manchester United did what they had to do by beating Sunderland 1-0 to achieve their 13th away win of the season, but events at Eastlands ultimately ensured this was a miserable occasion for manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Briefly, though, their fans could dream. That was the period when Wayne Rooney’s goal moved them above Manchester City to top spot in the Premier League.
They were to stay there for much of the second-half as Queens Park Rangers threatened to beat Manchester City until the late, late drama at Eastlands.
For 20 seconds after the final whistle, United believed they had won the title for the 20th time, until they heard about Sergio Aguero’s winner for their local rivals.
Chelsea sign off with win
Chelsea will head off to the Champions League final in good heart after rounding off their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge.
First-half goals from John Terry and Raul Meireles – both suspended for the meeting with Bayern Munich – put Roberto Di Matteo’s side in control.
Ayegbeni Yakubu’s second-half strike briefly gave relegated Blackburn hope they might end a disastrous season with an unexpected point but their efforts quickly faded. (Agencies)