The final day of the Premier League season proved to be the most dramatic since the league was re-branded in 1992.
Manchester City somehow managed to score two injury-time goals to steal the title from rivals Manchester United in dramatic fashion.
For along time though it looked as though they were living up to the title of ‘chokers’
Crazy
When the fourth official put the board up at the Etihad Stadium to signal five minutes of injury-time few watching the game could have predicted such a dramatic end to the game. First substitute Edin Dzeko headed home to give City some hope in the first minute of injury-time.
There was even more drama to come, just as it looked as though Manchester United had won the title Argentinian superstar Sergio Aguero popped up in the last minute of injury-time to fire home the winner and send the Etihad Stadium wild.
The result seemed unlikely after City struggled against relegation-threatened QPR for most of the match. The away side struck two excellent goals and were even reduced to ten men when former-City midfielder Joey Barton was sent-off for violent conduct.
City looked desperate at times trying to find a way past the excellent Paddy Kenny in the Rangers goal. It didn’t look like it was going to be their day but they showed great resilience and got their reward in the end.
Relegation
For much of the afternoon QPR thought they had to get something from the Etihad Stadium because relegation rivals Bolton were winning 2-1 at Stoke City until the 77th minute, when Jonathan Walters equalised for the Potters.
At the final whistle the defeat meant nothing to QPR, as Stoke manage to keep Bolton level at 2-2. Had Bolton taken some late chances QPR could have been heading to the Championship instead of the Trotters. However after the game everybody at the Etihad Stadium was happy.
City clinched the title and QPR survived the drop. The whole occasion was incredible and simply summed up the drama of what has been one of the best Premier League seasons to date.
Europe
The race for definite Champions League football next season also swung both ways. During the afternoon both Arsenal and Tottenham occupied third spot. Tottenham were coasted to a 2-0 victory at White Hart Lane against Fulham.
However, Arsenal had a far trickier afternoon at West Brom. Despite taking a very early lead through Yossi Benayoun, Arsenal managed to fall behind to goals from Shane Long and Graham Dorrans, all three goals coming in first 15 minutes of the game at the Hawthorns.
Full-back Andre Santos found a equaliser for the Gunners after half an hour to the relief of the visiting fans. Arsene Wenger’s side was handed the winner in the 54th minute, as Baggies keeper Martin Fulop made a terrible error to allow French defender Laurent Koscielny to score the winner.
The Arsenal victory means that the Gunners take the third Champions League spot. Spurs will now be sweating on whether Chelsea win the Champions League on Saturday night. If Chelsea beat German giants Bayern Munich then they will get the Champions League spot. And Spurs will be in the Europa League next season.
However, if the Bavarians win then Spurs will get an entry into the Champions League qualifying round. Missing out on the Champions League would be a major blow to Harry Redknapp and his team. Spurs have been in the top three for much of the season.
Newcastle will have to be content with Europa League football after they suffered a 3-1 defeat at in-form Everton on the last day of the season. The Toffee’s have the local bragging rights on Merseyside finishing above local rivals Liverpool for only the second time since the Premier League began in 1992.
Fitting
This season has been an incredible one in the Barclays Premier League. It has been arguably the best in the 20 years of the Premier League. It was really fitting that the season should end in such dramatic style, after the drama of the campaign.
With a new name on the Premier League trophy, next season promises to be just as exciting as this seasons, as other teams look to compete with Manchester City for the Premier League crown. For now though its congratulations to Manchester City it truly has been a memorable season.
Will we ever see a last day of the Premier League like this season?
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