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The noisy neighbours, Manchester City, have once again been crowned champions of England. Pep and his players have now won back to back Premier League titles and the first team to achieve to do so in over 10 years. However, this season it was tightly contested by the red half of Merseyside. A newly-reformed Liverpool side under the management of Jurgen Klopp, put up a hard-fought battle against this great City side to the very bitter end.

Going into the final day it was all up for grabs. One point separated both sides and it meant if Liverpool beat Wolves and City failed to win, then the title would be going to Anfield. As it happens to be, Manchester City had to contest their final game against a struggling Brighton & Hove Albion team. Who themselves had just avoided relegation, and therefore had nothing to play for. Both Liverpool and City were tipped as big favourites to win, but as we’ve seen this last week with football, nothing is for certain. As both sets of players lined up for there final battle, it was time to see who would finally win the war.

Liverpool got off to a great start, dominating possession of the ball and piling the pressure onto Wolves, who were already beginning with a deep defensive line. Perhaps the best opportunity for either Wolves or Brighton to cause an upset was to catch the two title contenders on the counter attack, and it was the latter who was having more success. Despite City’s dominance in possession of the ball, Brighton were looking dangerous on the break and keeping City on there heels. Brighton looked like as though they were ready to crash the City party and ruin their summer. As a potential upset looked possible on the south coast, Liverpool landed there first blow of the day. Another classic Trent Alexander-Arnold cross fell to the feet of Sadio Mane who neatly finished into the back of the Wolves net. Liverpool were now in pole position and I bet they couldn’t believe their luck seven minutes later. An excellent delivery towards the near post from a Gross corner found the head of Glenn Murray. Brighton’s top goal scorer was there to head pass the helpless Ederson. Coat instantly off; it was panic stations for Pep. Liverpool fans were ecstatic, whilst City fans were in shock. Could Brighton pull off a miracle? Of course, they couldn’t. Brighton held there lead for a whole 86 seconds before one of the greatest premier league strikers, Sergio Aguero, was there to turn inside the box and finish into the far bottom corner. The joy had now turned to anxiety for the Liverpool fans. It was out of there hands, and as expected it was only a matter of time before City took the lead. As Liverpool continued to completely dominate Wolves, there was nothing they could to affect Manchester City. Before they knew it, there worst fears came true. On the 38th minute, Mahrez lifted corner into the Brighton penalty area onto the head of Laporte. The French centre back outjumped Murray to head pass the Australian keeper, Matt Ryan. The knockout punch. City fans erupted as their side hand one hand on the title. As soon as Anfield heard the news, you could sense the groans and disappointment throughout the stadium. They knew that their best chance of winning a Premier League title in almost 30 years was fading away. As both refs blew the whistle for half time, it was City who were the happier of the two and all Liverpool could do was hope for a miracle by the Seasiders.

As Liverpool kicked off, you can tell there was that sense of frustration. The tempo and urgency had significantly dropped from the first half, allowing Wolves to grow into the game and enjoy more success on the ball. The newly promoted side looked dangerous through Jimenez and Jota, and the two premier league newbies were causing Liverpool’s defence a lot of problems. On the south coast, City done what City do. They wear teams down and as soon as they smell blood, they go for the kill. Although an unexpected player was next to land a knockout blow. The 2016 PFA player of the year, Riyad Mahrez, has struggled to get game time this season under Pep, although he was sending a message on the last day of the season. The Algerian playmaker faked a shot on the edge of the box, sending a Brighton defender onto the floor, before rifling the ball into the top corner with his weaker foot. A goal worthy of winning any title race. From then on, the title race was over. This was further set in stone only 9 minutes later. Fernandinho has been fantastic for City for many years including this season, although at 34 he is nearing the end of his career. The Brazilian will be hard to replace, although City’s Ilkay Gundogan proved he is more than a worthy candidate to fill his boots. The German international magnificently curled a freekick into the top corner to add the final knockout blow of the day. There was nothing more Liverpool or Brighton could do; and City’s reign looks set to continue for at least one more year. Liverpool managed to get another goal through Mane, who was once again assisted by Alexander-Arnold. With this assist, the young Englishman set the record for the most assists provided by a defender in a single Premier League season. At 4:48pm the ref blew the whistle and counted Liverpool out. Manchester City raised their hands and were champions of England once again.

Both teams fought hard throughout the season and it’s incredible to think that 97 points wasn’t enough for Liverpool to win the Premier League title. Manchester City under Pep are arguably the best team we’ve seen in the Premier League and it looks like it will be very difficult to dethrone them, especially with their financial backing. You can only imagine both teams will look to strengthen in the summer wherever they possibly can, and once again it will be these two teams challenging for the title. Who wins? I have no idea, and that’s why I can’t wait for it to start all over again. How could people possibly question wherever this is the best league in the world?!