MX23RW : Friday, April 26 20:30:48| >> :60:20:20:

City clinch title as Liverpool forced to settle for second

City clinch title as Liverpool forced to settle for second
© Reuters
Chelsea held on to third place as Tottenham drew 2-2 at Everton.

Manchester City came from behind to defend their Premier League title and ensure no final-day surprises as they won 4-1 at Brighton.

When Sadio Mane scored to put Liverpool 1-0 up against Wolves, the title was going to Anfield for the first time since 1990.

That looked all the more likely when Glenn Murray headed Brighton in front 27 minutes in.

Glenn Murray unnerved City
Glenn Murray unnerved City (Gareth Fuller/PA)

But Pep Guardiola's men did what champions do and responded instantly through Sergio Aguero (28), with Aymeric Laporte's header then settling any nerves 10 minutes later.

That allowed City to relax and after half-time Riyad Mahrez put daylight between the sides before Ilkay Gundogan's fantastic free-kick made it four.

Ilkay Gundogan scored a fourth
Ilkay Gundogan scored a fourth (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Liverpool would end up winning 2-0 after another Mane goal but finished second overall, staggeringly on 97 points.

Chelsea finish third after a 0-0 draw at Leicester, while Tottenham took the final Champions League spot after a 2-2 draw at home to Everton.

Eric Dier opened the scoring for Spurs in the third minute before Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun turned things in Everton's favour.

However, Christian Eriksen ensured Spurs ended a fantastic week with a point.

Arsenal must now hope to win the Europa League to make the Champions League after a 3-1 win at Burnley.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to ensure a share of the golden boot alongside Mane and Mohamed Salah, with Ashley Barnes responding for Burnley before Eddie Nketiah's stoppage-time third.

The goals keep coming for Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The goals keep coming for Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Nigel French/PA)

While City were celebrating on the south coast, it was an embarrassing day for Manchester United at the end of a tumultuous season.

They were beaten 2-0 at home by relegated Cardiff, the side they comprehensively beat 5-1 in Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's first game in charge in December.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored twice for Neil Warnock's men, once from the spot, as the Bluebirds went out with a bang.

Cardiff's fans had a memorable last day
Cardiff's fans had a memorable last day (Martin Rickett/PA)

Newcastle ended their season in style, beating already-relegated Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage.

Jonjo Shelvey opened the scoring (nine) and Ayoze Perez added a second two minutes later. Fabian Schar and Salomon Rondon wrapped things up in the second half.

There was an eight-goal thriller at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth 5-3.

Loan striker Michy Batshuayi (24, 32) scored a fisrt-half brace and Jack Simpson put through his own goal as the home side went 3-0 up.

Jefferson Lerma pulled one back and then Jordon Ibe made it interesting before Patrick Van Aanholt thought he had settled matters.

Josh King pulled another back before Andros Townsend had the final say.

West Ham finished well, beating FA Cup finalists Watford 4-1 at Vicarage Road.

West Ham's Manuel Lanzini celebrates
West Ham's Manuel Lanzini celebrates (Paul Harding/PA)

Mark Noble (twice), Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic all netted for the Hammers, with Gerard Deulofeu replying for the home side who had Jose Holebas sent off, meaning he will miss the cup final.

Huddersfield ended their season and their two-year Premier League stint with a 1-1 draw at Southampton, Alex Pritchard responding to Nathan Redmond's goal.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport Staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'c05953b8-1598-462e-b74c-b23fdb7a575c');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'City clinch title as Liverpool forced to settle for second'});

ID:359061: cacheID:359061:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:14194:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion on January 12, 2019.
Read Next:
Premier League team of the season
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!