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As it happenedended

Man City win the Premier League: Pep Guardiola's side thrash Brighton to claim title

Here's how it played out at the Amex

Harry Latham-Coyle
Sunday 12 May 2019 18:05 BST
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Manchester City have won the Premier League title after victory at Brighton.

Glenn Murray put Brighton ahead in the 27th minute before Sergio Aguero levelled just 83 seconds later in a frantic first-half. City pushed again and Aymeric Laporte put them ahead with a bullet header from a corner just before half-time. Riyad Mahrez's shot from range added to their lead just after the hour mark before Ilkay Gundogan sealed it with a wonderful free-kick.

Here's all the latest reaction from the Amex.

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Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Brighton vs Manchester City in the Premier League.

It's the final day and the defending champions know what they have to do to win the title.

A win and it's theirs once again but any slip up and Jurgen Klopp's side can claim a first league title win since 1990.

Pep Guardiola has been in confident mood all week long in the build-up but will there be one more twist in the tale?

We'll have all the latest updates from the Amex for you throughout the afternoon.

Ben Burrows12 May 2019 12:27

It's been quite the race but it all comes down to this: one game each to decide the destination of the Premier League title.

Miguel Delaney previews what should be a fascinating day HERE

Ben Burrows12 May 2019 12:42

This is it, then - the final day of the 2018/19 Premier League season.

It has been the most extraordinary of seasons, the most extraordinary of title races, two exceptional sides amassing remarkable point tallies, pushing each other all the way, sure of mind, heart and footing to ensure that neither side has slipped for more than two months. 

Manchester City are 90 minutes from back-to-back Premier League titles, a Sunday jaunt in sunny Sussex all that stands between Pep Guardiola's team and a second successive crown.

But after a week of football that has been utterly bonkers, anything can happen...

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 12:59

The week has ebbed and flowed to such an extent that Vincent Kompany's magnificent Monday night winner against Leicester seems but a distant memory.

It was a great roar of a strike, one that felt like a title-securer, a magical moment to throw into the highlights package that otherwise might look a little light, such has been City's consistency, solidity and serenity in recording thirteen consecutive wins.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:04

Manchester City's season has been spearheaded by a quite brilliant forward trio, all three of Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling bona fide player of the season candidates.

Despite their brilliance, there is, remarkably, a very strong argument to be made that it is not even the best forward trio in the title race. 

Still, Silva, Aguero and Sterling will be key this afternoon as City look to unlock a gnarled and steely Brighton defence so resolute in holding Arsenal last weekend...

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:09

Brighton have successfully halted their slide towards relegation and will be back in the Premier League next season, pleasingly, for Chris Hughton's side have plenty to offer, a desire to play football despite the squad make-up suggesting sitting-in may be wiser.

There is, ostensibly, little for Brighton to play for this afternoon, but perhaps the impending departure of their club captain may just stoke fire in the bellies for a final game shock.

Bruno announced his retirement from football this week, with this his 235th and final game in Brighton blue-and-white, guiding the side up into the Premier League with composed leadership from right back. While his legs have increasingly ailed and failed, he has been vital in their successful relegation battle and will get a chance to say a proper goodbye to those who utterly adore him today.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:17

Mind you, I don't think we are in for a John Terry situation, guard of honour and all, partly because such farcical scenes have little place in a game of such consequence, partly because Bruno's shirt number is 2, and Brighton can ill-afford to be shorn of a key defender against a side with Manchester City's attacking riches.

In the Spaniard, Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy, Brighton have three body-on-the-line blockers who will throw themselves at everything in an attempt to keep City out, hoping to keep Liverpool interested for as long as possible and perhaps provide the final twist in a tale that has been by the numbers for more than two months.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:21

And what of Liverpool, our other title combatants?

Jurgen Klopp's side host Wolves this afternoon knowing only a win will do, no doubt with half-an-eye and half-an-ear on events on the South Coast throughout.

Michael Jones is manning the controls, ready to guide you around every twist and turn throughout the 90 minutes as Liverpool fight for glory.

Throw it up on another tab, and pass the afternoon twiddling between events here and there for what could be an eventful final salvo:

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:28

But that's not all!

Lest we forget that there are eight other games today, a shotgun start to bring the season to a close. 

We'll have all the best from all the rest, the goals, the cards, the idiosyncrasies that such an occasion can throw up.

Here's what is still at stake...

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:31

The top four race that nobody wanted to win has sort of been won by default, Chelsea and Tottenham the best of a bad bunch.

Chelsea definitely have a top-four spot while Tottenham are not yet mathematically safe, Arsenal still able to usurp their close rivals but requiring an eight-goal overhaul, not inconceivable, but unlikely.

Arsenal are at Turf Moor trying to put as many as they can past Burnley while Tottenham close the season in their new home, Everton the tricky visitors today.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 May 2019 13:34

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