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Manchester City reached a tally of 98 to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title.
City came from behind at Brighton to secure a 14th consecutive victory, ending the season on 98 points to become the first side to retain the Premier League crown since 2009.
Liverpool's bid to be crowned champions for the first time in 29 years fell agonisingly short as they finished a point behind City, but Guardiola saluted the Reds' relentless challenge after their role in the toughest title win of his career.
It’s the first time the championship has been retained since Manchester United did so in 2009, and City’s triumph ensures that Liverpool’s wait to win title will be extended beyond 29-years.
Jurgen Klopp’s side needed to better City’s result at Brighton in their home clash with Wolves, and took the lead after 17minutes through Sadio Mane.
That goal – coupled with City falling behind to a Glenn Murray strike – saw Anfield erupt into ecstasy .
But Sergio Aguero equalised for Pep Guardiola’s side just 83 seconds later on 28minutes, before Aymeric Laporte headed City back in front ten minutes after. They lead at the Amex, but more importantly, they led the division.
They would run-out 4-1 winners in the end – sealing the title in style.
Both challengers ended the season with stunning winning runs, with neither putting a foot wrong despite operating under intense pressure.
Guardiola was quick to pay tribute to his side and that of Jurgen Klopp, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss admitting that he has never had to work so hard for success.
He told Sky Sports: “We have to say congratulations to Liverpool and thank you so much, they pushed us to increase our standards.
“It's incredible, 98 points, to go back-to-back. We made the standard higher last season and Liverpool helped us.
“To win this title we had to win 14 [league games] in a row. We couldn't lose one point.
“It's the toughest title we have won in all my career, by far.”
Guardiola added on a final day that saw City have to come from behind to beat Brighton 4-1, while Liverpool eased past Wolves 2-0 at Anfield: “We knew we had to win, simple as that.
“We didn't think about Liverpool. We just think about our game.
“Just focus on our game, don't think about Liverpool.”
With Carabao Cup and Premier League crowns successfully defended, Guardiola’s side will be gracing the FA Cup final against Watford on Saturday.
Among those looking forward to chasing down more medals is Raheem Sterling, with the England international revelling in his leading role at an ambitious club.
Other match results;
Elsewhere, Champions League finalists Tottenham were unable to leapfrog Chelsea into third spot as both sides’ respective matches finished in a draw.
But that point for Spurs ended any hopes Arsenal had to finish in the top-four, but they can yet claim a place in next season’s Champions League if they defeat Chelsea in the Europa League Final later this month.
Man United’s season finished on a low note with defeat to already-relegated Cardiff City at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, West Ham finished the season with a win at Watford, while Crystal Palace nearly squandered a 3-0 first half lead as they eventually defeated Bournemouth 5-3.
Fulham’s final match before relegation to the Championship ended with a heavy defeat at home to Newcastle United.
Klopp: Nothing we could've done
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool's record-breaking season is just the "first step" for his team after they were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City.
Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp says that this season is the first step for his squad in their journey after they finished second in the Premier League
The German insists Liverpool could not have done more to win the title, as attention turns to their Champions League final against Tottenham on June 1 in Madrid.
Klopp told Sky Sports: "People might say we could have done this or that but not really, I don't think [we could have done any more]. City were lucky in moments, we were lucky in moments. It was about staying in the race and believing and that's what we did.
"When your opponent is City, it's difficult. They couldn't get rid of us and we couldn't get rid of them. Being second in the Premier League is not exactly what I wanted but we have to see it as the first step for this team. We have three weeks to prepare for the Champions League final - let's give it a go."
What we learnt from EPL season; -
— Arsenal goal machine Aubameyang proves he is world class as he shares Golden Boot
— The darkest season in 30 years? Man Utd misery will get even worse before it gets better
— One game away from immortality: Liverpool heroes fall one point short after epic season
— Now it’s official: Pep’s relentless Man City the greatest Premier League team in history
Premier League | final table
Manchester City reached a tally of 98 to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title.
City came from behind at Brighton to secure a 14th consecutive victory, ending the season on 98 points to become the first side to retain the Premier League crown since 2009.
Liverpool's bid to be crowned champions for the first time in 29 years fell agonisingly short as they finished a point behind City, but Guardiola saluted the Reds' relentless challenge after their role in the toughest title win of his career.
It’s the first time the championship has been retained since Manchester United did so in 2009, and City’s triumph ensures that Liverpool’s wait to win title will be extended beyond 29-years.
Jurgen Klopp’s side needed to better City’s result at Brighton in their home clash with Wolves, and took the lead after 17minutes through Sadio Mane.
That goal – coupled with City falling behind to a Glenn Murray strike – saw Anfield erupt into ecstasy .
But Sergio Aguero equalised for Pep Guardiola’s side just 83 seconds later on 28minutes, before Aymeric Laporte headed City back in front ten minutes after. They lead at the Amex, but more importantly, they led the division.
They would run-out 4-1 winners in the end – sealing the title in style.
Both challengers ended the season with stunning winning runs, with neither putting a foot wrong despite operating under intense pressure.
Guardiola was quick to pay tribute to his side and that of Jurgen Klopp, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss admitting that he has never had to work so hard for success.
He told Sky Sports: “We have to say congratulations to Liverpool and thank you so much, they pushed us to increase our standards.
“It's incredible, 98 points, to go back-to-back. We made the standard higher last season and Liverpool helped us.
“To win this title we had to win 14 [league games] in a row. We couldn't lose one point.
“It's the toughest title we have won in all my career, by far.”
Guardiola added on a final day that saw City have to come from behind to beat Brighton 4-1, while Liverpool eased past Wolves 2-0 at Anfield: “We knew we had to win, simple as that.
“We didn't think about Liverpool. We just think about our game.
“Just focus on our game, don't think about Liverpool.”
With Carabao Cup and Premier League crowns successfully defended, Guardiola’s side will be gracing the FA Cup final against Watford on Saturday.
Among those looking forward to chasing down more medals is Raheem Sterling, with the England international revelling in his leading role at an ambitious club.
Other match results;
Elsewhere, Champions League finalists Tottenham were unable to leapfrog Chelsea into third spot as both sides’ respective matches finished in a draw.
But that point for Spurs ended any hopes Arsenal had to finish in the top-four, but they can yet claim a place in next season’s Champions League if they defeat Chelsea in the Europa League Final later this month.
Man United’s season finished on a low note with defeat to already-relegated Cardiff City at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, West Ham finished the season with a win at Watford, while Crystal Palace nearly squandered a 3-0 first half lead as they eventually defeated Bournemouth 5-3.
Fulham’s final match before relegation to the Championship ended with a heavy defeat at home to Newcastle United.
Klopp: Nothing we could've done
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool's record-breaking season is just the "first step" for his team after they were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City.
Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp says that this season is the first step for his squad in their journey after they finished second in the Premier League
The German insists Liverpool could not have done more to win the title, as attention turns to their Champions League final against Tottenham on June 1 in Madrid.
Klopp told Sky Sports: "People might say we could have done this or that but not really, I don't think [we could have done any more]. City were lucky in moments, we were lucky in moments. It was about staying in the race and believing and that's what we did.
"When your opponent is City, it's difficult. They couldn't get rid of us and we couldn't get rid of them. Being second in the Premier League is not exactly what I wanted but we have to see it as the first step for this team. We have three weeks to prepare for the Champions League final - let's give it a go."
What we learnt from EPL season; -
— Arsenal goal machine Aubameyang proves he is world class as he shares Golden Boot
— The darkest season in 30 years? Man Utd misery will get even worse before it gets better
— One game away from immortality: Liverpool heroes fall one point short after epic season
— Now it’s official: Pep’s relentless Man City the greatest Premier League team in history
Premier League | final table
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