Unlike the stoppage-time comeback required in the 2012 title decider,
goals either side of half time by Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany
provided a more serene end to what had been an exhilarating season.
Manchester City Samir Nasri (R) celebrates scoring a goal against West Ham United during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City vs West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Britain, 11 May 2014.
“You can’t repeat what happened last time,” goalkeeper Joe Hart said. “This year, we’ve really come on strong at the end when we needed to.”
Two years ago, City won the title on goal difference ahead of neighbor
Manchester United after coming from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers
on the final day.
Sunday’s victory, though, meant Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at
Anfield was meaningless as City finished two points above the Merseyside
club.
As soon as the final whistle was blown, thousands of fans flooded onto the Etihad Stadium pitch, setting off blue flares.
For a club that has spent so much time in the shadow of United — last
year’s champion — it was just the fourth time in its 134-year history
that fans could celebrate a league title.
Just 15 years ago, City was playing in the third tier of English
football, but the club’s fortunes were transformed after the influx of
Abu Dhabi cash following a 2008 takeover.
Making this victory all the sweeter is the fact United, which beat City
to the title by 11 points last May, ended this campaign in seventh
place after imploding in the post-Alex Ferguson era.
Although City spent just 15 days at the summit during a campaign when
the lead changed hands 25 times, Manuel Pellegrini’s side surged to the
top when it mattered most.
The 60-year-old Chilean is ending his first season in English football
as a double winner, having already won the League Cup victory over
Sunderland in March.
However, the league title looked out of reach for City just weeks ago after losing to Liverpool at Anfield.
However, Liverpool collapsed toward the end with a loss to Chelsea and a
draw at Crystal Palace which meant City only needed a draw at the
Etihad to secure the title.
But after an edgy start, Nasri scored with a shot from outside the area
in the 39th minute and Vincent Kompany added the second from close
range shortly after the break to let fans celebrate for much of the
second half.
“Liverpool’s game against Chelsea, I think that’s the twist of the season,” Nasri said. -- AP
Read more: Man City wins EPL title for 2nd time in 3 seasons - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/man-city-wins-epl-title-for-2nd-time-in-3-seasons-1.593977#ixzz31fXYNGsK
Post a Comment