Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Last updated on 11 May 2014.From the section Football543

Manchester City secured their second Premier League title in three seasons after goals from Samir Nasri and captain Vincent Kompany saw them stroll to victory over West Ham.

Manuel Pellegrini's side knew a point would confirm they had regained the crown - but goals either side of the interval from Nasri and Kompany ensured the formalities were completed with barely an anxious moment in front an ecstatic packed house at Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool's home defeat to Chelsea and the late collapse at Crystal Palace opened the door for City and they took advantage ruthlessly by winning their last five games.

And for 60-year-old Chilean Pellegrini, it marked a triumphant conclusion to his first season in charge after he was brought in to replace sacked Roberto Mancini and entrusted with returning the title to the club.

With 102 league goals and that two-point final margin, no-one can begrudge City a success that is richly merited, for all Liverpool's efforts this season.

As referee Martin Atkinson sounded the final whistle and confirmation of the title, City's fans rushed on to the pitch in their thousands and celebrated before retreating to allow captain Kompany to lift the trophy once more.

City's fans also paid tribute to their quiet manager who has guided them to the title, while also claiming the League Cup - a more than healthy return and justification of his appointment by the club's Abu Dhabi-based owners.

Pellegrini insisted City would not simply go in search of the draw that would ensure they finished ahead of Liverpool barring a miraculous turnaround on goal difference, and so it proved as they pressed forward from the kick-off.

West Ham, with growing speculation that manager Sam Allardyce was taking charge of his final game, showed a desperate lack of ambition and frustration threatened to be City's biggest enemy.

They played, however, with the maturity and control of champions and no hint of the nerves that plagued them when they were last in this position and needed Sergio Aguero's winner with virtually the final kick of the season to snatch the Premier League away from Manchester United two seasons ago.

And that nerve-shredding experience served them well here as they played a game of patience when confronted by West Ham's blanket defence and simply kept possession until they could make their quality count.

The time came six minutes before the interval when Nasri's low shot from 20 yards beat West Ham keeper Adrian to release any tension that may have been lingering.

And the job was done four minutes after half-time when, fittingly, captain Kompany turned in from close range after a corner had rebounded off the back of Edin Dzeko.

All that remained was for City to close out the win which, despite Liverpool's win against Newcastle United at Anfield, was done at a stroll as the Etihad celebrating the reclaiming of the Premier League title.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 4-4-2

1Hart
26DemichelisBooked at 61mins
4Kompany
5Zabaleta
13Kolarov
14García Fernández
21SilvaSubstituted forMilnerat 76'minutes
8Nasri
42Y TouréSubstituted forNegredoat 86'minutes
16AgüeroBooked at 90mins
10DzekoSubstituted forFernandinhoat 69'minutes

Substitutes

6Lescott
7Milner
9Negredo
22Clichy
25Fernandinho
30Pantilimon
35Jovetic

West Ham

Formation 4-2-3-1

13Adrián
3McCartney
17O'Brien
2Reid
5Tomkins
14Taylor
4NolanBooked at 32minsSubstituted forJarvisat 64'minutes
23Downing
16NobleBooked at 90mins
21DiaméSubstituted forColeat 81'minutes
9CarrollSubstituted forColeat 72'minutes

Substitutes

7Jarvis
8Armero
12Vaz Te
19Collins
22Jääskeläinen
24Cole
26Cole

Referee:: Martin Atkinson
Attendance:: 47,300

Match Stats

Home TeamMan CityAway TeamWest Ham

Possession: Home68%; Away32%

Shots: Home28; Away3

Shots on Target: Home7; Away0

Corners: Home12; Away1

Fouls: Home7; Away9

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Manchester City 2, West Ham United 0.
90'+4'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City 2, West Ham United 0.

90'+2'
Post update
Álvaro Negredo (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'
Post update
Foul by Matthew Taylor (West Ham United).
90'+1'
Post update
Offside, West Ham United. Adrián tries a through ball, but Joe Cole is caught offside.
90'
Booking
Mark Noble (West Ham United) is shown the yellow card.
90'
Booking
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
89'
Post update
Foul by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City).
89'
Post update
Mark Noble (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'
Post update
Attempt missed. Fernandinho (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Samir Nasri with a cross following a set piece situation.
88'
Post update
Samir Nasri (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
88'
Post update
Foul by Joe Cole (West Ham United).
88'
Post update
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Winston Reid.
88'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Samir Nasri (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aleksandar Kolarov.
88'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Álvaro Negredo.
86'
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Álvaro Negredo replaces Yaya Touré.
86'
Post update
Attempt blocked. James Milner (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sergio Agüero.
81'
Substitution
Substitution, West Ham United. Joe Cole replaces Mohamed Diamé.
79'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Samir Nasri (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Yaya Touré.
78'
Post update
Attempt saved. Samir Nasri (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Yaya Touré with a through ball.

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543 comments

Comment posted by Jack, at 20:08 11 May 2014
RIP Bradford fans... Some of us thought about you today.
Comment posted by TheQuackingDuck, at 18:38 11 May 2014
Well done City. Consistency and composure when we ran out. As a Liverpool fan, it was great to be a part of an epic title race, but the best team won. Chelsea defend well, Liverpool attack well and City do everything well - that's what wins you titles!
Comment posted by jp, at 19:05 11 May 2014
Congratulations to City, well deserved. As a Liverpool fan I'm unbelievably proud of the season we've had, and to be disappointed on missing out on the title on the last day is comforting as it shows how far we've come.

All in all, it was a great season, and the best team have won the league
Comment posted by Bacaruda, at 20:26 11 May 2014
I´m long-time resident in Madrid. Having seen shoddy way Real treated Pellegrini when he did a first class job for them, and remembering Mourinho´s taunts that no first class club would ever hire Pellegrini again, great to see a nice guy have his revenge. well done City.
Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 19:12 11 May 2014
City thoroughly deserve this title. They have scored the most goals and have the second best defensive record.

Liverpool just fell short in the end and it is their suspect defence that has let them down.

All in all a fantastic season for entertainment and twists and turns even if the quality wasn't quite as good as a few years ago.

Roll on 2014-15.
Comment posted by User0095111261, at 20:39 11 May 2014
@ Boing Boing Baggie

The latest odds for the World Cup

Brazil 11/4
Argentina 9/2
Germany 11/2
Spain 13/2
Belgium 14/1
France 22/1
Uruguay 25/1
England 33/1

There's a reason that the top clubs have so few English players. Comparatively speaking ... they're crap.
Comment posted by User0671863534, at 19:53 11 May 2014
@137 - A plastic is someone so blinkered that they can't recognise anything good in any other team, and some how believe they get reflected glory from claiming they support a team that they have no connection with and they only support because of current success.

Ant REAL fan of any club would give credit (even if through gritted teeth) for a team that deserves it?
Comment posted by D1679666141937, at 21:08 11 May 2014
Have nothing against the Liverpool team itself, what they have done this year is nothing short of breath taking... It's the " YNWA, Dare to dream, We go again and This is Anfield " brigade that make me shudder..
Comment posted by User0451376325, at 18:45 11 May 2014
Its not often that 84 points = 2nd, 82 points = 3rd, & 79 Points 4th.

Well done city - From a Liverpool Fan
Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 19:28 11 May 2014
Arsenal will be a threat next season, Wenger is already preparing a fresh bid for Suarez - £40,000,002.
Comment posted by bilbo, at 19:56 11 May 2014
Congratulations to Man City...as a Liverpool fan i enjoyed the ride and it was fun while it lasted
Comment posted by legoboy, at 19:55 11 May 2014
I wish people would not keep bringing Manchester United into this... we are talking about three great teams who have entertained us all season in the race for the title. City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

They were in there own battle with stoke, Southampton and palace.
Comment posted by Mr Red, at 20:15 11 May 2014
178. JFTHV
1 MINUTE AGO
Liverpool Spent £45 million in the summer.

and went from 7th to 2nd.
United spent 64 and went from 1st to..........7th

Whats the point?
Comment posted by User0060634918, at 19:02 11 May 2014
I think nobody can argue that city deserved it. They have been consistently good all season and have a great squad. They attack excellently and have a great defence. With a few more additions i can see next season being comfortable for them
Comment posted by User0530487773, at 19:18 11 May 2014
to all the united fans bleating about City buying the title, question for you - if Van Gall comes in and spends the 200m he is reported to be getting, and united win the title next year - what will your comments be then???

Well done City

Forever a real red
Comment posted by honest john, at 20:27 11 May 2014
I have to say that even as a Man U fan I'm pleased for all the City fans tonight. Their team timed it perfectly and deserve to be crowned as champions. Hopefully we'll get back on track next season - Well Done.
Comment posted by Cockneyblue, at 01:45 12 May 2014
City are worthy champions over the 38 games of a season......fact. Liverpool were absolutely fantastic especially since Xmas but choked at the end......inexperience. This money thing is just sour grapes, City have spent big yes, but this was the only way to break in to the monopoly of the big teams, I think that they will spend a lot less now than others as they only need minimal additions.
Comment posted by User0242995793, at 21:01 11 May 2014
What a shame lfc couldn't win it. Haha
Comment posted by DoNweirO666, at 05:58 12 May 2014
EPL is so BORING its almost as BORING as the spanish, italian and german leagues. This is not fair football, if you want fair proper Footy go watch the lower leagues. TRUE FOOTBALL FANS , YOU KNOW WHO U ARE AND I SALUTE YOU.
Comment posted by selhurstboys, at 06:13 12 May 2014
Well done City the best overall team won. I think Liverpool had the best attack though. What I can't understand is how you might be fined £50,000,000 and not get any points deducted? We (Palace) went into administration on less than half that figure and got 10 points deducted. Both are for breaking financial rules.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Man City	38	27	5	6	102	37	65	86
2	Liverpool	38	26	6	6	101	50	51	84
3	Chelsea	38	25	7	6	71	27	44	82
4	Arsenal	38	24	7	7	68	41	27	79

5	Everton	38	21	9	8	61	39	22	72
6	Tottenham	38	21	6	11	55	51	4	69

7	Man Utd	38	19	7	12	64	43	21	64

8	Southampton	38	15	11	12	54	46	8	56
9	Stoke	38	13	11	14	45	52	-7	50
10	Newcastle	38	15	4	19	43	59	-16	49
11	Crystal Palace	38	13	6	19	33	48	-15	45
12	Swansea	38	11	9	18	54	54	0	42
13	West Ham	38	11	7	20	40	51	-11	40
14	Sunderland	38	10	8	20	41	60	-19	38
15	Aston Villa	38	10	8	20	39	61	-22	38
16	Hull	38	10	7	21	38	53	-15	37
17	West Brom	38	7	15	16	43	59	-16	36

18	Norwich	38	8	9	21	28	62	-34	33
19	Fulham	38	9	5	24	40	85	-45	32
20	Cardiff	38	7	9	22	32	74	-42	30

Line-ups

Man City

Substitutes

West Ham

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by Jack, at 20:08 11 May 2014Jack

Comment posted by TheQuackingDuck, at 18:38 11 May 2014TheQuackingDuck

Comment posted by jp, at 19:05 11 May 2014jp

Comment posted by Bacaruda, at 20:26 11 May 2014Bacaruda

Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 19:12 11 May 2014BaggiosPonytail

Comment posted by User0095111261, at 20:39 11 May 2014User0095111261

Comment posted by User0671863534, at 19:53 11 May 2014User0671863534

Comment posted by D1679666141937, at 21:08 11 May 2014D1679666141937

Comment posted by User0451376325, at 18:45 11 May 2014User0451376325

Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 19:28 11 May 2014BlueIsTheColour

Comment posted by bilbo, at 19:56 11 May 2014bilbo

Comment posted by legoboy, at 19:55 11 May 2014legoboy

Comment posted by Mr Red, at 20:15 11 May 2014Mr Red

Comment posted by User0060634918, at 19:02 11 May 2014User0060634918

Comment posted by User0530487773, at 19:18 11 May 2014User0530487773

Comment posted by honest john, at 20:27 11 May 2014honest john

Comment posted by Cockneyblue, at 01:45 12 May 2014Cockneyblue

Comment posted by User0242995793, at 21:01 11 May 2014User0242995793

Comment posted by DoNweirO666, at 05:58 12 May 2014DoNweirO666

Comment posted by selhurstboys, at 06:13 12 May 2014selhurstboys

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Sunday 11th May 2014

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Comment posted by Jack, at 20:08 11 May 2014

Comment posted by TheQuackingDuck, at 18:38 11 May 2014

Comment posted by jp, at 19:05 11 May 2014

Comment posted by Bacaruda, at 20:26 11 May 2014

Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 19:12 11 May 2014

Comment posted by User0095111261, at 20:39 11 May 2014

Comment posted by User0671863534, at 19:53 11 May 2014

Comment posted by D1679666141937, at 21:08 11 May 2014

Comment posted by User0451376325, at 18:45 11 May 2014

Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 19:28 11 May 2014

Comment posted by bilbo, at 19:56 11 May 2014

Comment posted by legoboy, at 19:55 11 May 2014

Comment posted by Mr Red, at 20:15 11 May 2014

Comment posted by User0060634918, at 19:02 11 May 2014

Comment posted by User0530487773, at 19:18 11 May 2014

Comment posted by honest john, at 20:27 11 May 2014

Comment posted by Cockneyblue, at 01:45 12 May 2014

Comment posted by User0242995793, at 21:01 11 May 2014

Comment posted by DoNweirO666, at 05:58 12 May 2014

Comment posted by selhurstboys, at 06:13 12 May 2014