Man City pip Liverpool to the title by ONE point after comeback 4-1 win at Brighton on dramatic final day of Premier League
MANCHESTER CITY are Premier League champions for a second season in a row – trumping Liverpool by a single, heartbreaking point.
Pep Guardiola and Co were given an almighty scare by Brighton on the south coast on the final day after slipping a goal behind in the opening half an hour.
But they battled back in ruthless manner to ensure they retained their crown – with Liverpool runners-up after victory at home to Wolves.
Vincent Kompany – a week on from his crucial stunner against Leicester – was to be the man to lift the Premier League trophy.
Reds skipper Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, was left to lick his wounds alongside his brave Liverpool team-mates, who fought valiantly all season long – amassing an astonishing 97 points.
After 38 rounds of their brutal heavyweight contest, with both parties exchanging monumental haymakers, Man City were finally champions.
Battered and bruised, relieved and exhausted, but ultimately triumphant.
As it was in the 2011-12 season – their first Prem triumph – City were forced to fight from behind to get their hands on the most-coveted trophy in English football.
But there was no need for last-gasp heroics this time around.
COMEBACK KINGS
Glenn Murray had stunned Guardiola’s side with a 27th-minute header from a corner – with Anfield erupting in a chorus of cheers as news of the goal filtered up north.
The lead last little more than a minute though, as Sergio Aguero rifled home after a superb touch and through the legs of Brighton stopper Mat Ryan.
Less than ten minutes later and Aymeric Laporte nodded City in front – as they took the lead in the title race for the first time in the day.
Sadio Mane had earlier polished off a phenomenal team move as the Reds went one-up against Wolves.
But Riyad Mahrez clinched the title just after the hour-mark as he rifled home a wonderful third, lashing the ball home with his so-called weaker right foot.
Ilkay Gundogan stroked home a sublime free-kick to make it 4-1 and leave Liverpool fans across the country utterly deflated.
Their Premier League hunt, for another year at least, was over – and attention now turned to the Champions League final on June 1.
Of course, Man City tend to win their titles by fine margins.
In the 2011-12 season, Aguero netted a last-gasp stunner to beat QPR and deliver City’s first Premier League title in dramatic fashion.
Remember Martin Tyler’s famous roar of “Aguerooo!”
The victory meant City beat arch-rivals Man Utd to the title only on goal difference, with Wayne Rooney’s winner at Sunderland now utterly irrelevant.
But this season might be the narrowest margin yet – 41mm to be precise.
Two weeks ago, Aguero bundled the ball just over the line in the crunch game with Burnley as Guardiola’s men finally found a way past the hosts’ stubborn defence.
Not only that, John Stones managed to clear a Sadio Mane effort off the line in their 2-1 win against their title rivals on January 3.
The ball was just 12mm away from being a Liverpool goal – which would have been two points dropped for City and advantage Reds.
With another epic season now in the books for Man City, take a look at how they won it with our 38-game recap.
Arsenal 0 MAN CITY 2 – Aug 12
The champions ruin Unai Emery’s first home game when Raheem Sterling gives City a perfect start and Bernardo Silva scores a late stunner to seal it.
MAN CITY 6 Huddersfield 1 – Aug 19
Sergio Aguero opens his account for the season with a hat-trick — while David Silva and Gabriel Jesus also get on the score-sheet as City run riot.
Wolves 1 MAN CITY 1 – Aug 25
Willy Boly’s opener should not count as he clearly uses his hand — but Aymeric Laporte’s headed equaliser at least preserves City’s unbeaten start.
MAN CITY 2 Newcastle 1 – Sep 1
The Toon threaten to nick a point when they cancel out Raheem Sterling’s early goal — but Kyle Walker steals the show and a win with a long-range stunner.
MAN CITY 3 Fulham 0 – Sep 15
Early Leroy Sane goal and another from David Silva end it within 21 minutes. Raheem Sterling gets a third but boss Pep Guardiola isn’t impressed.
Cardiff 0 MAN CITY 5 – Sep 22
City bounce back from a Euro hiccup vs Lyon with first-half goals from Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. New boy Riyad Mahrez adds a brace.
MAN CITY 2 Brighton 0 – Sep 29
Raheem Sterling breaks the deadlock after half an hour of trying to get through stubborn Brighton before Sergio Aguero nets a second after the break.
Liverpool 0 MAN CITY 0 – Oct 7
Not the classic predicted but City take heart from the way they control the game against their bogey team. Should really win it but Riyad Mahrez skies a penalty.
MAN CITY 5 Burnley 0 – Oct 20
No old-pals act for returning hero Joe Hart as Sergio Aguero scores first half. Goals from Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and a Fernandinho stunner followed.
Tottenham 0 MAN CITY 1 – Oct 29
An awful Wembley surface just hours after an NFL game makes for a disappointing game. Riyad Mahrez scores early opener but Spurs waste late chances to level.
MAN CITY 6 Southampton 1 – Nov 4
City have the game sewn up in 20 minutes thanks to Sergio Aguero, David Silva and an own goal. Raheem Sterling add a brace and Leroy Sane got the sixth.
MAN CITY 3 Man Utd 1 – Nov 11
More Jose Mourinho misery as David Silva and Sergio Aguero again put City in control of the derby. Ilkay Gundogan adds a late third to end United comeback hopes.
West Ham 0 MAN CITY 4 – Nov 24
Ex-City boss Manuel Pellegrini is shown no mercy as his old club race into a three-goal half-time lead through David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, who adds a fourth.
MAN CITY 3 Bournemouth 1 – Dec 1
Bernardo Silva’s early goal is cancelled out by Callum Wilson before half-time but Raheem Sterling scores against his fave opponents and Ilkay Gundogan makes it safe.
Watford 1 MAN CITY 2 – Dec 4
Goals from Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez either side of the break put the visitors in charge but they have to withstand a late rally from the Hornets.
Chelsea 2 MAN CITY 0 – Dec 8
City are sunk by goals from N’Golo Kante and David Luiz in a game best remembered for the abuse aimed at Raheem Sterling — and his mature response.
MAN CITY 3 Everton 1 – Dec 15
Two goals from Gabriel Jesus see City respond to the set-back — before Raheem Sterling’s header settles any nerves after the Toffees threaten to rally.
MAN CITY 2 Crystal Palace 3 – Dec 22
Sensational long-range Andros Townsend goal is the highlight of a brilliant Eagles comeback. Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne prove not to be enough.
Leicester 2 MAN CITY 1 – Dec 26
More festive woe for Pep Guardiola as Bernardo Silva’s early goal is cancelled out by Marc Albrighton before Ricardo Pereira scores a super late Foxes winner.
Southampton 1 MAN CITY 3 – Dec 30
A vital win after back-to-back defeats. Pierre-Emile Hojberg replies to David Silva’s early goal but Sergio Aguero and an own goal put the game beyond Saints.
MAN CITY 2 Liverpool 1 – Jan 3
Huge night in the title race as Roberto Firmino levels for the Reds after Sergio Aguero’s first-half strike. Visitors look likelier winners but Leroy Sane nicks it for City.
MAN CITY 3 Wolves 0 – Jan 14
City lead through Gabriel Jesus when Willy Boly is sent off in the 19th minute. Jesus adds a second from the spot before a late own goal rounds things off.
Huddersfield 0 MAN CITY 3 – Jan 20
Danilo’s deflected early strike is followed by second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane but City are far from their best against basement boys.
Newcastle 2 MAN CITY 1 – Jan 29
It looks like business as usual when Sergio Aguero strikes after 24 SECONDS — but Salomon Rondon levels after the break and Matt Ritchie’s penalty wins it.
MAN CITY 3 Arsenal 1 – Feb 3
Another first-minute goal from Sergio Aguero and although Laurent Koscielny equalises, the Argentine goes on to complete another hat-trick.
Everton 0 MAN CITY 2 – Feb 6
Tense night at Goodison as Aymeric Laporte finally makes the breakthrough with a header on half-time. Sub Gabriel Jesus races clear to settle any late nerves.
MAN CITY 6 Chelsea 0 – Feb 10
City race into a four-goal lead in 25 minutes with two from Sergio Aguero, plus Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan goals. Aguero bags third and Sterling strikes again.
MAN CITY 1 West Ham 0 – Feb 27
Manuel Pellegrini and Pablo Zabaleta are warmly welcomed back to the Etihad — but Sergio Aguero bags the only goal with a controversial spot-kick.
Bournemouth 0 MAN CITY 1 – Mar 2
City completely dominate against the Cherries but have to wait until the 55th minute to get the breakthrough as Riyad Mahrez fires home at the near post.
MAN CITY 3 Watford 1 – Mar 9
Controversial Raheem Sterling goal should be given offside but it opens the floodgates as the England man goes on to complete a 13-minute hat-trick.
Fulham 0 MAN CITY 2 – Mar 30
City pick up after international break with Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero strikes inside the first half-hour against stricken Cottagers.
MAN CITY 2 Cardiff 0 – Apr 3
Kevin De Bruyne’s early goal may well be meant as a cross but it puts City on their way and Leroy Sane’s well-struck shot before the break ends the game as a contest.
Crystal Palace 1 MAN CITY 3 – Apr 14
A Euro setback is forgotten as Raheem Sterling strikes two goals to put City in charge. The Eagles pull one back but Gabriel Jesus restores two-goal cushion.
MAN CITY 1 Tottenham 0 – Apr 20
Quick turnaround after going out of Europe to Spurs but Phil Foden’s first Premier League goal puts them back on course five minutes in and City hold on to win.
Man Utd 0 MAN CITY 2 – Apr 24
United huff and puff but City go through the gears and Bernardo Silva’s strike finally edges them in front before sub Leroy Sane fires home a second.
Burnley 0 MAN CITY 1 – Apr 28
City take over an hour to break down stubborn Burnley. And when they finally do, it is only just — as Sergio Aguero’s shot creeps over the line by millimetres.
MAN CITY 1 Leicester 0 – May 6
Another long wait for a breakthrough but when it arrives what a moment. Skipper Vincent Kompany smacks in a 25-yard howitzer to win it.
Brighton 1 MAN CITY 4 – May 12
City were given an almighty scare after Glenn Murray put the hosts one-up. But Sergio Aguero and Aymeric Laporte swiftly hit back to ensure they would win the title. Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundongan scored screamers as the champions put the cherry on top.