2012 Barclays Premier League review: May

MAY 2012

The excitement, quality of football and passion that the Barclays Premier League had enjoyed over the season was epitomised in the final five frenetic minutes of the 2011/12 campaign, as Sergio Aguero’s injury-time goal ensured that Manchester City got their hands on their first Premier League title.

In a thrilling climax fitting of the best Premier League campaign, as voted in the “20 Seasons Awards” that were held in the month, City needed only to match Manchester United’s result away to Sunderland to win their first championship title in 44 years.

After taking an early lead against a Queens Park Rangers side who needed a win to avoid relegation, City went 2-1 down, despite QPR having been reduced to ten men early in the second half with the sending-off of Joey Barton. Meanwhile at the Stadium of Light United had won 1-0 and as things stood were going to retain their title, but were forced to wait for the final whistle in Manchester.

Roberto Mancini’s men equalised in stoppage time when Edin Dzeko headed in a David Silva corner. Three minutes later, the ball fell to Sergio Aguero, who calmly stroked it past QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny to unleash delirium in Etihad Stadium. The stadium erupted and the Blues became the fifth club to win the Premier League in its 20 season history.

The race for the UEFA Champions League places was also decided on the final day as Arsenal recovered from going a goal behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at The Hawthorns to secure third place.

Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth but lost out when Chelsea grabbed the final qualifying spot by stunning Bayern Munich on penalties in the Champions League Final. The victory, which was sealed by Didier Drogba from the spot was the fourth time a Barclays Premier League club had one the trophy and the first time for Chelsea. Roberto Di Matteo’s side completed a cup double when they defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew steered his side to fifth and Europa League football in the following season.

At the bottom, Bolton Wanderers’ failure to beat Stoke City on the final day meant that QPR were guaranteed safety, despite their loss to City. After 15 years in the Premier League, Bolton dropped out along with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, whose fate was sealed with a 1-0 defeat by Wigan Athletic in the penultimate matchweek of the season in the relegation zone.

QPR’s survival meant that all three promoted clubs survived the drop. Swansea City and Norwich City finished the season with victories, and consequently finished 11th and 12th respectively. Reading, Southampton and West Ham United completed the Premier League line-up for the 2012/13 campaign. Reading won the npower Championship, with Southampton sealing second spot with a final-day win over Coventry City. West Ham United edged Blackpool in the play-off Final at Wembley Stadium.

Key quotes

"This is an incredible moment. We wanted this title and we deserved to win this title. This is for all our supporters, the club, the chairman and the owner. This is the perfect finale for a crazy season. We dominated this season for 28 games, but when we beat a team like United twice in one season we deserve this." - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini after his side won the Barclays Premier League title.

“I want to say it is the best moment of my life but if I’m honest then I would say please never again this way." - Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.

“I congratulate City on winning the league. Anybody who wins it deserves it, because it’s a long haul. At the end of our game our players didn’t actually know the results. Now they’re really disappointed, I’m glad to say. 89 points would win most leagues. It wasn’t our turn today." - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It has been a fantastic season to finish fourth and in a Champions League place. I’d be a liar if I stood here and said otherwise [that I didn’t want Bayern Munich to beat Chelsea]. I want Tottenham to finish in the Champions League and it’s now up to Bayern Munich to finish the job. What will be will be." - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

Barclays Premier League awards

Player of the Season: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)

Manager of the Season: Alan Pardew (Newcastle United)

How they stood

Table on 1 Apr 2012  In full here       Final table in full here