"I think that I manage a great group of players, a great institution and great fans.”
Manchester City won their last game of the season 2-0 versus West Ham United to clinch the 2013/2014 Premier League Football title. Manchester City were crowned English Premier League Champions for the second time in three seasons.
The Sky Blues finished two points ahead of Liverpool who beat Newcastle United 2-1. Chelsea defeated Cardiff City 2-1, whist Norwich City were relegated from top flight football after losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal.
Manchester United failed to qualify for the Europa League after Tottenham Hotspur triumphed 3-0 against Aston Villa.
Manchester City 2 West Ham United 0 – 3pm KO, Sunday
Manchester City claimed their second Premier League title in three years after a convincing 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.
A full capacity crowd saw City take the initiative in the 39th minute as Samir Nasri’s low shot from 20 yards beat West Ham keeper Adrián. The volume was raised and the stands were rocking as the fans believed it was City’s title.
Four minutes into the second half, captain Vincent Kompany scored their second from close range after the ball rebounded off Eden Džeko into his path.
There were no signs of nerves this time round as compared to the 2011/2012 season when it needed an injury time winner from Sergio Agüero. This time City controlled the game from the start to finish.
As the final whistle was blown by referee Martin Atkinson, home fans rushed on to the pitch in their thousands and celebrated with the players before retreating to allow captain Kompany to lift the trophy once more.
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini on winning the title said: “It’s not easy in your first season but I manage a great group of players, a great institution with great fans.”
A jubilant City fan on Facebook posted: “Nobody here is standing alone!!! We’ve had the dream in our hearts! We’ve had a love of our own! Champions 2014!! Champione!!! Champione!!! Oh Yea! Oh Yea!! Oh Yea!!!”
Liverpool 2 Newcastle United 1 – 3pm KO, Sunday
The Reds won their last fixture of the season to finish second in the Premier League. Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge scored for Liverpool as they came from behind to win 2-1 against Newcastle United.
Newcastle United took the lead in the 20th minute as Yoan Gouffran broke clear on the left and delivered a cross that Martin Škrtel (own goal) sliced past Simon Mignolet.
The introduction of Philippe Coutinho midway through the second half changed the game. In the 63rd minute, a Steven Gerrard free kick was met with a back-post volley by Agger to level the game. Two minutes later the home side deservedly went ahead.
A second Gerrard free kick from almost the same position was poked in by Sturridge for his 22nd Premier League goal of the season.
Newcastle United were reduced to nine men as Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett saw red. Liverpool held onto the win, but fell two points short of the title.
Post match, captain Steven Gerrard said: “We made the supporters dream, we made ourselves dream. To go so close of course it’s heartbreaking at the moment.”
A disheartened Liverpool fan from Pakistan posted on Facebook:
“Respect for Liverpool from 7th to 2nd… Superb season second highest points (84) in the history of club in premier league era, highest goal tally (101)… Suarez highest goal scorer in PL era. All in all excellent season and most importantly we are back in Champions League”
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2 – 3pm KO, Sunday
Chelsea claimed third spot in the Premier League after coming back from a goal down to beat Cardiff City 2-1.
Relegated Cardiff City took the lead on fifteen minutes as a Craig Bellamy shot was deflected into the goal off Cesar Azpilicueta.
It was an average performance by the visitors and it took them seventy-two minutes before they were back on level terms.
Andres Schürrle (72′) equalised for the Blues as he fired a rebound high into the net after an Azpilicueta shot was saved by David Marshall. Chelsea took the lead in the 75th minute when Fernando Torres slotted home from six yards.
Chelsea won the game to finish third in the Premier League.
Norwich City 0 Arsenal 2 – 3pm KO, Sunday
Norwich City’s relegation was confirmed at Carrow Road as they lost 2-0 t0 Arsenal. The Canaries needed a miracle to survive and kept the Gunners at bay during the first half.
However Arsenal went ahead in the 53rd minute with a stunning volley by Aaron Ramsey. In the 62nd minute Carl Jenkinson put the game to bed with the second goal for the visitors. Hence Norwich City were relegated to the Championship division. Prior to the match, Arsenal had already sealed the final Champions League spot.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur secured a place in the Europa League with a convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa. Fulham and Crystal Palace shared the points after drawing 2-2, whilst Everton defeated Hull City 2-0.
Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Southampton. Gus Poyet’s Sunderland lost 3-1 to Swansea City as Stoke City beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1.
Manchester City held their nerves to clinch a thoroughly deserved second title in three seasons. Liverpool came from nowhere to nearly win the league.
This season was indeed a belter, but next season we are going to see one hell of a fight for the title as teams will strengthen in the summer.
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