Sunday, 11 May 2014

MANCHESTER CITY CROWNED CHAMPIONS PLUS ROUND-UP OF FINAL GAMES.


There was no call for last-gasp heroics as Manchester City claimed the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.

City had famously relied on two injury-time goals when beating Manchester United to the title on goal difference in 2012, but this time around Samir Nasri broke the deadlock six minutes before the break before Vincent Kompany settled the nerves on 49 minutes.

City had gone into the game knowing a draw was almost certainly enough to secure the title as a result of their goal difference.


Liverpool battled back from a Martin Skrtel own goal to defeat Newcastle United 2-1 at Anfield.

Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge scored in the 63rd and 65th minutes, and Newcastle then saw both Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett sent off, but City's victory ended any prospect of a long-awaited 19th league title for the Reds.

Arsenal will head into the FA Cup final at Wembley on the back of five straight wins after securing a 2-0 victory over Norwich at Carrow Road, with the latter's relegation to the Championship being confirmed.

Aaron Ramsey broke the deadlock for Arsenal on 53 minutes with a superb first-time volley from Olivier Giroud's cross. Carl Jenkinson doubled the lead nine minutes later, tapping in Lukas Podolski's sliced shot as Arsenal cruised to the win.

Tottenham Hotspur secured a spot in next season's Europa League with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at White Hart Lane in what is likely to be Tim Sherwood's last game in charge.

Paulinho's rebound put Spurs in front in the 14th minute, with his initial shot being saved after some good play between the Brazilian, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Harry Kane. Nathan Baker's own goal enabled Spurs to double their lead on 35 minutes, with Emmanuel Adebayor making it three from the penalty spot shortly afterwards.

Southampton and Manchester United shared the spoils at St Mary's in a 1-1 draw.

Rickie Lambert put Southampton in front after 28 minutes, but Juan Mata's fine free kick ensured United would end the season without a defeat after he pulled his side level on 54 minutes.

Chelsea came from a goal down to beat already-relegated Cardiff City 2-1.

Craig Bellamy put Cardiff in front after 15 minutes when his shot from 20 yards took a wicked deflection off Cesar Azpilicueta to leave Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer stranded.

However, they turned the game around with two goals in the space of three minutes. Andre Schuerrle equalised on 72 minutes after Azpilicueta had hit the bar, and Fernando Torres then gave them the lead after Schurrle headed the ball into his path.

Swansea City claimed a 3-1 victory over Sunderland, who had already secured their Premier League status for next season.

Nathan Dyer gave Swansea the lead after seven minutes with a neat finish to beat Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone, and Marvin Emnes doubled the lead seven minutes later from Wilfried Bony's pass.

Fabio Borini halved the deficit on 50 minutes by heading in Adam Johnson's corner. However, Bony restored the two-goal advantage for the visitors just four minutes later with a low finish.

Fulham ended their time in the Premier League with a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

Dwight Gayle got a toe to Joel Ward's low cross-cum-shot to give Palace the lead. Cauley Woodrow equalised for Fulham, but Gayle with his fourth goal in his last two games put Palace back in front with a free-kick. Fulham, though, gave something for their supporters to cheer about as Chris David equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal a point for the relegated side.

Everton beat Hull City 2-0, with James McCarthy and Romelu Lukaku sealing a comfortable victory for Roberto Martinez in an impressive first season for the Spaniard at Goodison Park.

Stoke City picked up all three points at West Bromwich Albion with a 2-1 victory. Gareth McAuley put through his own net on 22 minutes from Marko Arnautovic's low cross to hand Stoke the lead, but Stephane Sessegnon scored the equaliser on 56 minutes with a side-footed finish. Charlie Adam, though, delivered the win for Stoke, restoring their lead three minutes from time.


Soccernet.

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