Man City clinches title in dramatic finale

LONDON - Manchester City secured a first English title in 44 years in extraordinary circumstances on Sunday as stoppage-time goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero snatched a 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers to deny Manchester United another championship.

The Manchester City team celebrate winning the English Premier League following their soccer match against Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, May 13, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

In a breathless, tension-wracked finale to one of the most dramatic and unpredictable seasons for decades, United's 1-0 win at Sunderland seemed to have sealed their 20th title but with the final whistle blown at the Stadium of Light, City produced a last twist.

In the second of five minutes of stoppage time, substitute Dzeko rose to head City level against a QPR side who had struck twice after the break despite losing former City midfielder Joey Barton to a red card for elbowing Carlos Tevez.

With just a minute of the season remaining, Aguero roared into the area to dispatch a right-foot shot past the diving Paddy Kenny for his 23rd league goal and the most precious of the 93 amassed by Roberto Mancini's City throughout the campaign.

Both United and City finished on 89 points but City's superior goal difference of eight proved decisive as the English title was settled on goals, rather than points, for only the sixth time and the first since Arsenal edged out Liverpool on the final day of the 1988-89 season.

As United's players trudged off at Sunderland contemplating a first trophyless season since 2004-05, the biggest party since 1968 kicked off for the long-suffering sky blue half of the city.

"Five minutes from the end I did not think we could win this game. We deserved to win this championship," City manager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports.

"After 44 years I dedicate this to all our supporters."

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini runs onto the pitch after winning their English Premier League soccer match against Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, May 13, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Captain and central defensive rock Vincent Kompany, a 6 million pounds ($9.7 million) bargain in the estimated half a billion pounds invested on players since Abu Dhabi's Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought City in 2008, shared the feelings of most of the 48,000 fans witnessing an afternoon of high drama.

"I want to say it is the best moment of my life but if I'm honest then I would say please never again this way," he said.

"We have been so good at home all season but in the second half we just couldn't get through the QPR defence.

"Did I give up? No, I never stopped believing. When Edin Dzeko scored to make it 2-2, it reminded me of our late goals against Tottenham and Sunderland." 

As City laid siege to the QPR goal only to be denied by Kenny's heroics and frantic defending, the headlines look set to gloat over the day City threw it away and former manager Mark Hughes, now in the QPR dugout, got the last laugh.

Some City fans were in tears as they watched the title slip away but in a mind-boggling final act, their team snatched the trophy from United's grasp to finally move out of the shadow of their illustrious neighbours and complete their journey from harmless also-rans to the new powerhouse of English football. 

United manager Alex Ferguson, denied a 13th English title at the death, could not resist a slight dig at Mancini's side.

"Everybody expected City to win but they did it against 10 men for half and hour and with five minutes of extra time to help them," he said. "But at the end of the day I congratulate them, it's not an easy league to win."

Away from the euphoria of Manchester there was heartbreak for Bolton Wanderers who drew 2-2 at Stoke City and were relegated long with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.

Manchester City's manager Roberto Mancini holds the English Premier League trophy with Carlos Tevez following their soccer match against Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, May 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]