Agency :
Manchester City won the Premier League title by a point from Liverpool on a thrilling final day of the campaign after Pep Guardiola’s side survived a huge scare on Sunday.
City had to fight back from 2-0 down against Aston Villa in the second half, but three goals in the space of five stunning minutes – including two from substitute Ilkay Gundogan – set off the party, with fans pouring onto the field at the Etihad Stadium at the final whistle.
City have now won four of the last five Premier League titles and their victory ends Liverpool’s hopes of a unique quadruple of trophies.
“Four Premier Leagues, these guys are legends already, people have to admit it. This group of players are absolutely eternal in this club because what we achieved is so difficult to do,” Guardiola said.
Liverpool, who faces Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris next week, had also found it hard to get their business done at Anfield against Wolverhampton Wanderers but late goals from Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson earned them a 3-1 win.
Juergen Klopp’s side never went top of the ‘live table’ during the afternoon of drama but until City’s revival the destiny of the title was hanging tantalizingly in the balance.
Tottenham Hotspur comfortably secured the fourth Champions League spot with a 5-0 win at relegated Norwich City while North London rivals Arsenal had to settle for fifth spot despite crushing Everton 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
At the bottom, Burnley joined Watford and Norwich in heading down to the second tier Championship.
A fine header from fullback Matty Cash had put Villa 1-0 up at the break and the nerves of the City fans worsened after Brazilian former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho doubled the advantage in the 69th minute.
At that stage Liverpool were being held 1-1 by Wolves and were still in second spot but a goal for them at Anfield would have put them in pole position.
But by the time Liverpool did take charge of their game, City had fought back and blown away all the fear of a final-day collapse in five blistering minutes.
German Gundogan headed in a Raheem Sterling cross before Spanish midfielder Rodri drove into the bottom corner. Gundogan then completed the turnaround, tapping in a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne at the back post.
City fans poured on to the field at the final whistle with no sign that the novelty of being champions of England is wearing off.
