Image Credit: Premier League
By Lee Clow
12 May 2019 | Premier League
After competing in one of the best Premier League title races, Manchester City are crowned champions and snatch the title away from Liverpool on the final day of the season.
Manchester City finished the 2018/19 Premier League season with 98 points, one point above fellow title contenders Liverpool, to finish top of the table and secure back to back Premier League titles.
After winning 13 games on the bounce in the Premier League, all Manchester City had to do was win the final game of the season to ensure they would be the first team to retain the crown since Manchester United 10 years ago - but any slip-up could let in their relentless pursuers Liverpool, who were hosting Wolves at Anfield.
Brighton were Manchester City’s hosts on the final day and on paper it looked like it would be a comfortable win for the blue side of Manchester. Despite this however, the first half hour of the game did not seem to go to plan as Brighton shockingly took the lead through veteran Glenn Murray. To make the situation worse for City, as Brighton scored updates came through from the other match involving Liverpool stating that the Merseyside club had taken the lead against Wolves meaning it was Liverpool’s title to lose.
Anxiety amongst the City fans rose in Sussex however it was not to be seen in the team who responded immediately after going behind. An icon for scoring the winner against QPR on the final day of the 2011/12 season to secure City’s first Premier League title, Sergio Aguero fired home an equaliser just 83 seconds after Murray's opener. The goal only spurred City on and they soon found themselves going into the break 2-1 ahead after Aymeric Laporte headed home.
After the break, the defending champions were on course to retain their title as Riyad Mahrez rifled City's third into the top corner on 63 minutes. With the title all but won, City found a fourth a goal through an exquisite free kick by Gundogan. Gundogan’s goal was met by wild scenes of celebrations among Pep Guardiola's players and staff.
After the game, Brighton respectively gave Manchester City a guard of honour before allowing the club to celebrate during the presentation of the Premier League trophy. Captain Vincent Kompany was once again lifting the trophy for City having lifted the price in 2012, 2014 and 2017.
City's 14th consecutive league victory sees them end one of the most remarkable Premier League title races on top of the pile with 98 points and sees them become the first side since 2009 to retain the title. Despite not reaching 100 points again like last season, the success from Pep Guardiola’s side will arguably even sweeter given the season-long battle with Liverpool.
After the game, City boss Pep Guardiola spoke on how winning this title victory was the toughest in his career. "We have to say congratulations to Liverpool and thank you so much, they pushed us to increase our standards…It's incredible, 98 points, to go back-to-back. We made the standard higher last season and Liverpool helped us. To win this title we had to win 14 (league games) in a row. We couldn't lose one point…It's the toughest title we have won in all my career, by far."
What’s next?
Having won the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season, Manchester City have the chance to complete an unprecedented domestic treble with victory over Watford in the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 18.
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