City are the champions!

LONDON. — Manchester City wrapped up a second Barclays English Premier League soccer title in three seasons after beating West Ham United, after Liverpool’s come-from-behind win over Newcastle United proved to be in vain yesterday.
Norwich City’s relegation from the top flight was confirmed after a home defeat by fourth-placed Arsenal, while Tottenham Hotspur booked Europa League football for next season by beating Aston Villa.

Ryan Giggs’ likely last game as Manchester United manager ended in a draw at Southampton, as FA Cup finalists Hull City were beaten at home by Everton.

Bottom club Cardiff City bowed out of the Premier League with a home defeat by Chelsea as fellow relegated side Fulham twice came from behind to draw with Crystal Palace.

Stoke City recorded their highest Premier League finish with a win at out-of-form West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland’s recent flying run was checked by Swansea City.

Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany scored the goals as Manchester City beat West Ham 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium to claim the title by two points.

City were rarely troubled by the visitors in the first half and took the lead on 39 minutes when goalkeeper Adrian lacked a strong enough hand to keep out Nasri’s dipping 25-yard drive.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side almost scored a second in stoppage-time when David Silva’s shot deflected off Andy Carroll and struck the crossbar.
The second goal came four minutes after half-time when a corner deflected into Kompany’s path and the defender finished from close range to ensure City secured the title in Pellegrini’s first season as manager.

Liverpool came from behind to round off their excellent season with a 2-1 home win over Newcastle, who finished the match with nine men.
Liverpool fell behind in the 20th minute when Yoan Gouffran got down the left-hand side and his cross was shinned into his own net by defender Martin Skrtel.

Gouffran should have then made it 2-0 when he was sent clear, but his shot was well saved by Simon Mignolet before Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge headed wide when picked out unmarked in the box.

Brendan Rodgers’ side equalised on 63 minutes when Steven Gerrard’s free-kick from the right was steered home by Daniel Agger at the far post.

Just two minutes later, Liverpool took the lead in almost identical fashion as Gerrard whipped in another free-kick from a similar position, but this time it was Sturridge at the back post to score from close range.

And, before the game could restart, Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi was sent off after being booked twice in quick succession by referee Phil Dowd for dissent.

Newcastle were reduced to nine men with three minutes to go when Paul Dummett was sent off just five minutes after coming on as a substitute following a collision with Luis Suarez.

Norwich’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed after Arsenal warmed up for next week’s FA Cup final against Hull City with a 2-0 win at Carrow Road.

Arsenal edged in front in stunning fashion on 53 minutes when Olivier Giroud crossed from the left to the far post where Aaron Ramsey volleyed first time beyond John Ruddy into the top corner.

Arsene Wenger’s side added a second goal nine minutes later when Kieran Gibbs’ cut-back bounced into the path of Carl Jenkinson and the full-back side-footed home his first Arsenal goal with the aid of a deflection.

West Brom’s 2-1 home defeat by Stoke proved to matter little to the hosts following Norwich’s defeat, but the result ensured a ninth-placed finish for Mark Hughes’ side.

Stoke were handed the advantage midway through the first half in fortunate fashion when Marko Arnautovic’s pull-back was turned into his own net by Gareth McAuley, who was running back towards his own goal.

West Brom equalised on 56 minutes when Stephane Sessegnon, who hit the crossbar after just three minutes, swept home Craig Dawson’s cross.

But Stoke clinched a fifth successive win at The Hawthorns with three minutes to go when Charlie Adam drove an angled left-footed effort from 25 yards beyond the dive of Ben Foster.

A 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at White Hart Lane, in what could be Tim Sherwood’s last match as manager, guaranteed European football for Tottenham next season. Tottenham took the lead on 14 minutes when the ball broke kindly into Paulinho’s path and, after his initial shot was parried by Brad Guzan, the Brazil international scored from the rebound. — Sky Sports.