Goals from Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany helped City to a routine 2-0 win over West Ham and rendered meaningless Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield.
Thousands of City fans streamed on to the pitch at the final whistle to mob their heroes, with some wielding blue flares that billowed smoke.
Champions of England: Manchester City have been
crowned Premier League champions for the second time in three seasons
after beating West Ham 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium
Captain fantastic: Vincent Kompany lifts the Premier League trophy in front of his ecstatic teammates
Jubilation: Vincent Kompany lifts the Premier League trophy to mark the end of a magnificent season for City
Perfect timing: Remarkably, City have topped the
table for just two weeks of the season, coming into form at the right
time to claim the silverware
Happy chaps: Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart pose for a selfie in the changing room
Master and commander: Captain Vincent Kompany and manager Manuel Pellegrini parade the trophy bedecked in blue ribbons again
Airborne: The players grab hold of Manuel Pellegrini to throw him in the air
Cheer: Even Manuel Pellegrini managed a smile as he was carried around by his players
It had looked as though Liverpool would be crowned champions for the first time in 24 years when they beat City on April 13, but a consistent run of form from City, who had games in hand, delivered them another title.
In the end, a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea on April 27 and two dropped points against Crystal Palace last Monday saw them stumble at the final hurdle.
Speaking after Kompany had lifted the trophy to rapturous noise, Pellegrini said: 'It was very special, it is my first year here in England and it has now been easy. I think that I manage a great group of players and great fans.
Words of thanks: This City supporter showed his
appreciation to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard for slipping against
Chelsea and allowing Demba Ba to score a vital goal
Invasion: Thousands of City fans stream on to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium after the full-time whistle
Smokin': Fans storm the pitch to mob their heroes after the title is secured on the final afternoon
What a day: Two City supporters celebrate on the pitch after the 2-0 win over West Ham
‘We were the best team in the Premier League. It was a very special season for us, we were hardly never top, we had games postponed. But the players believed in me. It's a very special group.
'I must be calm during the game because I have to make decisions. And over the whole year, there have been lots of difficult moments.
'The players always believed what I told them. To play the way I like, because that is what football must be like in a great team.'
City won the title despite topping the table for a grand total of 14 days this season but Pellegrini was unconcerned by that statistic and immediately set his sights on further silverware next season.
'I think this team cannot be satisfied with just one title,' he said. 'We have two titles this year. We will celebrate today and on Monday. On Tuesday, we will start to prepare for next year.'
Thank you: These fans paid tribute to the club's Arab ownership for their investment
On the pitch! Supporters young and old enjoyed the jubilant title celebrations
Captain Kompany echoed Pellegrini's comments about building a dynasty in the blue half of Manchester.
The Belgian defender said: 'This team has more than just talent, it has heart and soul to it.
'I'm prepared for anything in football - if I win, I celebrate, if I lose, I get on with it. I'm extremely happy and whenever we do well I'm happy for this club and the fans.
'Everything this season is a credit to how we prepare for every game.'
He added: 'Forget about the money, forget about everything, as a six-year-old, all you dream about is lifting trophies. I feel like I'm achieving that dream doing this.
'We are building a club, not just a team that wins trophies every now and again. The past is the past but the future makes me excited to be here. If we want to be a big club,this has to be the first of many.'
Nasri told Sky Sports that the spirit among the City team was the key to their title triumph.
'The atmosphere in the dressing room been really fantastic this year,' said the France midfielder.
'We were behind at some points but we always believed. The game with Chelsea at Liverpool was the twist of the season.'
A delighted Joe Hart, meanwhile, paid tribute to Pellegrini, who has two winners' medals from his first season in English football.
'He's a winner, he wants us to win,' Hart said of his manager on Sky Sports 1. 'He is a measured man and he believes in what he does. We came strong at the end, we won the games we needed to. We are all winners, strong personalities.'
Pablo Zabaleta said: 'Every single person who works for this club is trying to make this club bigger. It is a mentality to work, the players show commitment and loyalty and they have been brilliant.
'It is another trophy and we know how special the Premier League is. To finish like this is fantastic, amazing. We'll work more to bring more success to this club.'
No comments:
Post a Comment