Manchester City won the English Premier League title courtesy of a dramatic extra-time winner from Sergio Agüero against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, May 13.
Now then, let’s take a look at the final 2011-12 Premier League table.
1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham Hotspur
5. Newcastle United
6. Chelsea
7. Everton
8. Liverpool
9. Fulham
10. West Bromwich Albion
11. Swansea City
12. Norwich City
13. Sunderland
14. Stoke City
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Aston Villa
17. Queens Park Rangers
18. Bolton Wanderers
19. Blackburn Rovers
20. Wolverhampton Wanderers
UEFA Champions League
The top four finishers in England’s top tier qualify for Europe’s most prestigious club football competition.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have qualified for next season’s Champions League, and rightfully so.
Newcastle United had a tremendous 2011-12 campaign, but finished four points adrift Spurs for fourth place.
With that said, Spurs are more likely to pose a threat in the Champions League having reached the quarter-finals in 2010.
Unfortunately, they ran into a far superior Real Madrid, who ended their dream run in convincing fashion.
UEFA Europa League
Newcastle’s fifth place finish means that they have sealed a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
If the Magpies can keep their top players, they have a legitimate chance of making a deep run in this competition.
The dynamic Senegalese duo of Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cissé will surely give opposing sides nightmares when they travel to the Sports Direct Arena.
In addition, Newcastle have one of the best bosses in world football. His name is Alan Pardew and he was named Barclays Manager of the Season in 2011-12.
Relegation to the Championship
Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Wolves will all play in the English Championship next season.
Blackburn and Wolves struggled throughout the 2011-12 campaign, while Bolton had their moments but could not do enough to survive.
Subsequently, none of the newly promoted sides have been relegated, meaning that congratulations are in store for Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City and Swansea City.
In my opinion, Norwich and Swansea were absolutely fantastic. They were a joy to watch and fully deserve to remain in England’s top flight.
Furthermore, QPR ended their campaign on solid form, and probably deserved to finish above Bolton.
Promotion from the Championship
Reading and Southampton have already punched their ticket to the Premier League, while Blackpool will face West Ham United in a play-in playoff at Wembley on May 19.
West Ham are the favorites to earn promotion with the bookmakers, but Blackpool will fancy their chances in a one-match playoff.
Betting Odds: West Ham United v Blackpool
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