LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City became the first side in a decade to retain the Premier League on Sunday (May 12) as a 4-1 victory at Brighton capped a remarkable 14-game winning run which saw them edge out Liverpool in a thrilling title race.
Here, Agence France-Presse Sport looks at five of the key players that led Pep Guardiola's men to the title:
Sergio Aguero
City have now won the title in four of the past eight seasons and one of the few common strands has been Aguero's goals.
The Argentine has shrugged off the doubts Guardiola had about his suitability for the Catalan's style of football when he first arrived in Manchester to reinstate himself firmly as City's first-choice striker.
Aguero has now scored at least 20 Premier League goals in five straight seasons, the first player to do so since Thierry Henry.
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And many of his 21 this season were the most important ones in City's run to the title.
His instant response as Brighton threatened a final-day surprise settled nerves on Sunday; he bagged hat-tricks against Chelsea and Arsenal; scored the opener at home to Liverpool; and the winner in a hard-fought 1-0 win at Burnley by forcing the ball a mere 30 millimetres over the line.
On such small margins, the title race was won.
Aymeric Laporte
The French defender was signed for a then club-record £57 million (S$101 million) in January 2018 and after settling in during the second half of last season, has become the mainstay of Guardiola's defence.
The 24-year-old has played more minutes in the Premier League this season than any other City outfield player and was rightly rewarded with a place in the PFA's team of the year.
Laporte's ability to distribute the ball accurately from the back is why Guardiola was so keen to bring him to the Etihad from Athletic Bilbao, but he also possesses the pace and physical power to cope with the rigours of the Premier League with ease as he showed in scoring the goal that put City in front at Brighton.
Fernandinho
City's strength in depth has been key to holding off Liverpool's charge despite going deep in four competitions, but if there is one player that Guardiola's squad does not have a natural replacement for it is Fernandinho.
The Brazilian's presence was badly missed in December defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester that threatened to kill off City's title defence.
He was rushed back to steady the ship and was outstanding in the 2-1 win over Liverpool on January 3 that ultimately proved the difference between the sides.
Bernardo Silva
The diminutive Portuguese playmaker had to wait patiently for his chance to shine, having spent most of his debut season on the sidelines, but from the first game of this campaign Guardiola claimed his preferred line-up was "Bernardo and 10 more".
Silva's seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League have helped make up for Kevin De Bruyne's lengthy absences.
However, he is far from a luxury player who adds a final flourish. In the decisive January victory over Liverpool, he ran 13.7 kilometres, then a season-high for distance covered by any player in the Premier League.
"I love him, it's simple like that," said Guardiola.
Raheem Sterling
His status as a frontline campaigner in the fight to rid football of racism played a big part in his crowning as the football writers' player of the year.
But the England star has grown in stature both on and off the pitch this season.
His 23 goals in all competitions matches his personal best for a single season and Guardiola's insistence in using him in almost every game, despite having Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez in reserve, speaks volumes of how important Sterling has become to City's fortunes.
CARDIFF, United Kingdom (REUTERS) - Tottenham moved back into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, after cruising to a 3-0 win at lowly Cardiff City on Tuesday
Spurs back up to second after 3-0 win at Cardiff - Football
Former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic criticised Gareth Bale for lacking leadership qualities and hit out at coach Santiago Solari after the club's La Liga title ambitions were dented by Thursday's 2-2 draw at Villarreal.
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Premier League Clubs 'Strongly Opposed' to Proposed UEFA Champions League & Europa League Changes The Premier League has released a statement in which they state unanimous opposition to proposed changes to the structure of both the Champions League and Europa League.
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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on January 13, 2019, with the headline 'Iran and Iraq qualify for last 16 with easy wins'. Print Edition | Subscribe Topics:
Football: Iran and Iraq qualify for last 16 with easy wins
Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to
SINGAPORE - Maurizio Sarri should be given more time as Chelsea manager, but the club's success next season will also depend greatly on whether it succeeds in getting a transfer ban lifted.. Read
Football: Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer
Sarri is expected to return to a back four this coming season as he seeks to create an attack-minded side based around possession of the ball, movement through the thirds of the pitch and the technical quality of his players on the ball. Read More. Maurizio Sarri hails 'wonderful player' Jorginho and issues update on Alvaro Morata's future
JLC Advisors senior partner Vincent Lim said the firm is investigating if its managing partner Jeffrey Ong Su Aun made the payouts from the account on his own initiative or on the instructions or request of others.
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If one needed further evidence of the growing, fractious rivalry that now exists between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United , then the most recent transfer deadline day offered a conclusive case
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Sturridge's last appearance for Liverpool came as a late substitute during the 4-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg win over Barcelona, which saw the Reds complete a remarkable turnaround. While the next destination of the England international remains to be seen, Klopp is in no doubt of Sturridge's qualities.
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Maurizio Sarri who is the manager of Premier League side Chelsea has reportedly told Belgian football star Eden Hazard that he is free to leave the club if he wants to. Eden Hazard has for the past three seasons being linked with a move to the Spanish giants with Real Madrid said to be ready to sign him in the summer.
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LONDON (AFP) - Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second successive season as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday (Feb 16)..
Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals | Aaj News
United Spurs Juve And Inter Ready To Heat Up Icc Singapore. Singapore Spurs Tottenhamhotspur. Manchester United Supporters Club Singapore The Official.
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