Liverpool crowned Premier League champions as Manchester City lose to Chelsea

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David Awopetu

A 30-year wait to win the English top-flight ends without Jurgen Klopp’s men having to kick a ball.

Liverpool have officially been crowned the 2019-20 Premier League champions after Chelsea defeated 10-man Manchester City 2-1 on Thursday night. The Reds celebrate their first title triumph since 30 years, thanks to the Londoners’ victory.

City went to Stamford Bridge as the reigning top-flight champions and needed victory to prevent Liverpool from winning the league before the top two teams go head-to-head at the Etihad next week.

However, Christian Pulisic capitalised on a mix-up between Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan on the half-way line before half-time to put Chelsea ahead.

Kevin De Bruyne’s stunning second-half free-kick threatened to delay Liverpool’s title party and soon after, former Reds winger Raheem Sterling struck the post after a lightning-quick counter-attack as City sought to take the lead.

But Frank Lampard’s Blues restored their lead after Fernandinho handled on the line and was sent off, with fellow Brazilian, Willian, stepping up to score from the penalty spot to put Chelsea back in front with 10 minutes to go.

They held on for a massive three points in their own quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League, keeping them five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool needed one victory to seal the league but City’s failure to win means they cannot be caught.

It is Liverpool’s 19th top-flight title and their first since 1989-90.

Despite being urged to “stay home” by the city’s metro mayor because of coronavirus, thousands of fans gathered at Anfield to celebrate.

Many of the supporters who congregated at the club’s ground wore facemasks and some lit flares.

Winning the title was always the main aim for a club that had endured such a long wait to be crowned champions of England again, having earned that honour 11 times between 1973 and 1990.

Nevertheless, having achieved that ambition, things could get better yet, with City’s 100-point total for a season; one of numerous records Liverpool can still break.

Klopp’s side have produced one of the most memorable campaigns in Premier League history, amassing 86 points already, with a record of 28 victories, two draws and a single defeat from their 31 games.

Such has been their dominance; at one stage, they led the table by 25 points – a record gap between a side in first and second in English top-flight history.

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