Manchester City claimed their first top flight title for 44 years as Sergio Aguero's late strike denied Manchester United on a dramatic final day in the Premier League.

City only needed to match United's result at Sunderland going into the last game, but an early Wayne Rooney header sent the nerves jangling at the Etihad Stadium, which were temporarily calmed when Pablo Zabaleta was the beneficiary of Paddy Kenny's poor handling to give the hosts the lead.

But the advantage was short lived as Dijbril Cisse smashed home after Joleon Lescott's miss-placed header after the interval.

Manchester City
City won the title in dramatic circumstances. Reuters

Joey Barton was sent from the field after a clash with Carlos Tevez, but Rangers, themselves fighting for their Premier League lives, went ahead as Jamie Mackie headed in Armand Traore's cross.

The title appeared set to go to Old Trafford for a 13<sup>th time in 20 seasons, but Edin Dzeko's header set up a grand stand finale, and Aguero delivered the crucial goal in the fourth minute of added on time to give City their first top flight title in 44 years in the most remarkable circumstances.

The Manchester pair will be joined in the Champions League next season by Arsenal, after Laurent Koscielny ruined Roy Hodgson's final game in charge of West Bromwich Albion with the decisive winner.

Yossi Benayoun capitalised on Martin Fulop's error to give The Gunners the lead, but Shane Long and Graeme Dorrans looked to give Hodgson the perfect send off before beginning his full-time tenure as England manager.

But Andre Santos struck the leveller on the half hour, before Koscielny provided the winning touch.

Tottenham Hotspur's European destiny is far from decided, despite Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe helping Harry Redknapp's men ease past Fulham.

Victories for both north London sides meant Newcastle United couldn't make a last day intervention in the race for the Champions League, but their 3-1 defeat to Everton, which ensured The Toffees finish above rivals Liverpool, couldn't deny Alan Pardew's side fifth spot.

Spurs must now rely on Bayern Munich beating Chelsea, who warmed up by beating already relegated Blackburn Rovers, in the Champions League final next Saturday if they're to take their place in Europe's premier club competition next term.

At the other end, QPR's defeat to City paled into insignificance as Bolton Wanderers succumbed to Jonathan Walters' double, meaning Owen Coyle's side will play Championship football next season after only drawing with Stoke City.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa's miserable season was compounded with defeat at Norwich City, as Grant Holt took his season tally to 15 before Simeon Jackson tapped home, while fellow promoted side Swansea City overcame Liverpool through Danny Graham's solitary goal.

The final of the already relegated sides Wolverhampton Wanderers ended their Premier League existence with defeat at Wigan Athletic, with Emmerson Boyce scoring twice at the DW Stadium.

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