Man City Retain EPL Title As Arsenal Miss Out On UCL Qualification

Recall it was a slip by Gerrard against Chelsea in 2014 that contributed to Man City pipping Liverpool to the title.

But at the end of the dramatic final day, with less than 20 minutes left, Gerrard could not right the wrong of eight years ago, as Villa could not hold on with Man City coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and retain the league title.

Liverpool also had to come from a goal down to beat Wolves 3-1 but it was not enough for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Man City, who have now won eight league titles, ended the season on 93 points after 38 games just one point ahead of Liverpool.

The Reds can still end the campaign on a high as they will face Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League next Saturday.

They have already secured the League Cup and FA Cup titles, beating Chelsea on penalties in both finals.

Villa took the lead on 37 minutes after Lucas Digne played an inviting cross into the box and Matthew Cash confidently headed it beyond Ederson.

City went in search of the equalizer but found themselves 2-0 down on 69 minutes following a superb strike by former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian latched onto a second ball, cut inside and then pulled the ball coolly into the near corner.

With 14 minutes left City pulled a goal back thanks to Ilkay Gundogan who from close range headed in Raheem Sterling’s pass.

Just two minutes later City equalized. Oleksandr Zinchenko pulled the ball back to Rodri at the edge of the box and the midfielder produced an ice-cool finish into the bottom corner.

And with nine minutes remaining City completed the comeback, as Gundogan tapped in what proved to be the title clinching goal.

At the Emirates Arsenal thrashed Everton 5-1 but it was too little too late, as they were pipped to the last Champions League place by North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

A win for Arsenal against Everton while a defeat for Spurs at already relegated Norwich, would have seen them qualify for a first Champions League since 2017.

But Spurs hammered Norwich 5-0 at Carrow Road to beat their bitter rivals and claim fourth place while Arsenal finished fifth.

And in the relegation fight, Leeds stayed up after beating Brentford 2-1 away while Burnley dropped down no thanks to a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle United.