EPL: Manchester City retain Premier League title, Liverpool second

Manchester City have retained the Premier League trophy, after coming from behind to beat Brighton 4-1 and see off Liverpool's challenge on the final day of the season.

City ended the season with 98 points, just two shy of last season's record-breaking 100, while Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers saw them end on 97 -  the largest tally for a Premier League runners-up. 

Needing a 14th successive league win to be certain of prevailing in an unprecedented title duel, City fell behind to Glenn Murray's 27th-minute header, but Pep Guardiola's side responded in devastating fashion.   

Sergio Aguero levelled 83 seconds later and Aymeric Laporte's header put City ahead before the break.   

Liverpool began the day one point behind and would still have hoped for something extraordinary to happen in the south coast sunshine.   

But when Riyad Mahrez drove an unstoppable shot past Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan's despairing dive just past the hour, City's fans could finally get the party started.   

Ilkay Gundogan's majestic free-kick made it 4-1 to put the icing on another glorious day for City, who are the first club to retain the Premier League title for 10 years.   

In other results, Chelsea wrapped up their campaign to secure third place with an uninspired goalless draw at Leicester, while Tottenham booked their place in next season's Champions League with a 2-2 draw at home to Everton.

Arsenal finished outside the top four again, despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring twice in his side's 3-1 win at Burnley.         

But at least Aubameyang shared the Golden Boot, as top goal-scorer, with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on 22 goals.       

Manchester United ended their dismal campaign with a 2-0 home defeat by relegated Cardiff City, after Nathaniel Mendez-Laing struck in each half to give the Welsh side a fine farewell from the top flight.            

Sixth-placed United produced another dreadful performance, which stretched their poor run to just one win from their last seven top-flight appearances.             

Michy Batshuayi scored twice, as Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth 5-3, while West Ham finished 10th, after a 4-1 win at FA Cup finalists Watford, with Mark Noble scoring twice.    

Newcastle signed off with a 4-0 win at relegated Fulham, while Southampton drew 1-1 with bottom side Huddersfield in the day's other match.

Reuters