United lose, hand City title

Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions without kicking a ball on Sunday as rock bottom West Brom stunned Manchester United with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

United simply had to avoid defeat to keep the title race mathematically alive, but a late header from Jay Rodriguez gave West Brom a hugely surprising three points and finally gave their fans something to cheer this season.

More importantly, though, it means Pep Guardiola's City team cannot now be caught at the top of the table, thus handing the Catalan coach his first Premier League crown in just his second year in English football.

Realistically it was always a matter of when and not if City would become English champions for a fifth time following a dominant season from the blue half of Manchester.

But, just a week after spoiling City's title party the way United abjectly gifted the title to their neighbours will sting.

United failed to spark the imagination in any tangible way even though they were playing a side that had hadn't won in the league since January.

West Brom sacked manager Alan Pardew at the start of April after just four months following one win in his 18 matches in charge, but even a famous win at Old Trafford may be too little, too late for the Baggies as they still lie nine points off safety with just four games remaining.

However, the plucky visitors sensationally seized their chance when Chris Brunt delivered a corner from the right with 17 minutes remaining and headed back inside to Rodriguez, who could not miss from three yards out. West Brom displayed some new-found defensive fortitude and held on for a famous victory.