Manchester City clinches Premier League title

Monday, 12 May 2014 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Manchester City clinched a second Premier League title in three seasons with a 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday that sent their Etihad Stadium into raptures and condemned Liverpool to second place. Blue and white ticker tape rained down and fans poured on to the pitch at the final whistle as City, who only needed a draw to win the trophy, finished two points clear of Liverpool whose campaign ended with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United.

Samir Nasri calmed City nerves by drilling them ahead in 39th minute and captain Vincent Kompany’s neat finish four minutes after halftime put the hosts in cruise control, rounding off a superb debut season for manager Manuel Pellegrini. “It’s an amazing feeling. My second title in three years. It was an amazing league the whole year,” Frenchman Nasri told Sky Sports. “There are no words to explain my feelings now.” For Chilean Pellegrini it was a first league title since he won the Clausura with River Plate in Argentina in 2003 and a maiden success in Europe. “I’m just so happy for the manager as well because it’s his first title in Europe, it’s amazing,” Nasri added. The atmosphere at Anfield was muted as an own goal from Martin Skrtel put Newcastle ahead in the first half, but goals from Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge ensured they ended with victory against opponents who had Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett sent off. Chelsea had to settle for third spot after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at Cardiff City, ending a trophyless first season back in England for manager Jose Mourinho. Tottenham Hotspur comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-0 to finish sixth and clinch a place in next season’s Europa League, meaning deposed champions Manchester United, who drew their final match of a terrible season 1-1 against Southampton, will not play in Europe next season for the first time in 24 years. Norwich City’s relegation was confirmed with a 2-0 home defeat by Arsenal and they will join Cardiff and Fulham in the Championship next season.

English League Champions

REUTERS: English champions and runners-up during the past 10 years Manchester City sealed their fourth title on Sunday since the league restarted in 1946-47 season. Champions Runners-up 2004-05: Chelsea Arsenal 2005-06: Chelsea Manchester United 2006-07: Manchester United Chelsea 2007-08: Manchester United Chelsea 2008-09: Manchester United Liverpool 2009-10: Chelsea Manchester United 2010-11: Manchester United Chelsea 2011-12: Manchester City Manchester United 2012-13: Manchester United Manchester City 2013-14: Manchester City Liverpool