Manchester City scored two goals in added-on time to win the Premier League in one of the most memorable finishes to a season in football history.
The home side began nervously and failed to really test Paddy Kenny in the opening quarter of the game.
News of a Stoke goal against Bolton pleased the travelling Rangers fans, who almost celebrated an opener when Djibril Cisse's fizzing free kick was held by Joe Hart in the City goal.
Wayne Rooney then put United ahead against Sunderland as City continued to struggle to break down a dogged QPR.
The home crowd tried to rally their team with cries of "Come on City!" and they took the lead with five minutes of the half remaining.
Yaya Toure fed the onrushing Pablo Zabaleta, who drove into the area and fired at Paddy Kenny. The QPR keeper palmed the ball into the air and onto the far post before it dropped just over the line.
After the interval, Rangers added another twist when Joleon Lescott misjudged a header and inadvertently laid in Djibril Cisse. The Frenchman looked up and volleyed past Hart to level the scores.
Then came even more drama when Joey Barton was sent off for hitting out at Carlos Tevez following a tangle on the edge of the area.
Barton then kneed Sergio Aguero as he made an angry exit, coming face-to-face with Vincent Kompany before being confronted by the equally-contentious Mario Balotelli, who was an unused substitute at the time.
Amazingly, QPR took the lead despite being down to ten when Armand Traore broke away down the left and sent over a deep cross that found Jamie Mackie at the back post to bullet a header past Hart.
QPR sat on the back foot and invited pressure as City knew they had to find two goals in the final stages of the contest.
Kenny tipped a Tevez header over before Aguero found substitue Edin Dzeko, whose low near-post shot was flicked away well by Kenny.
Balotelli was introduced as Mancini bolstered his front line and the Italian saw a stinging effort again blocked away by Kenny.
City equalised when Dzeko headed home before top scorer Aguero sent the Etihad into raptures by drilling low past Kenny as the full-time whistle approached.
City finish ahead of Manchester United by virtue of goal difference to claim their first title in 44 years.
Pascal Lemesre
