Jonny Weeks May 13, 2012

Premier League: the final day of the season – in pictures

The best images from the final day of the season when a thrilling injury-time turn-around handed Manchester City their first title in 44 years, while Arsenal held on to third place and Bolton were relegated

football: Man City v QPR — Manchester City's fans are confident that their side can wrap up the title against QPR today. Victory will earn them their first title since 1968 Photograph: Tom Jenkins

football6: Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League — But United could still snatch the title - as the Premier League bosses well know. They have delivered signage and a spare trophy to the Stadium of Light, where United are playing Sunderland, in case United finish top Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

football2: sport — Tottenham are the first to score - Emmanuel Adebayor slots the ball home in the second minute to hoist Spurs into third place Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

football3: sport — Moments later Arsenal take the lead against West Brom to reclaim the guaranteed Champions League berth. But two goals in four minutes from Shane Long and Graham Dorrans (pictured) shock the Gunners and drop them down the table Photograph: Henry Browne/Action Images

football5: Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League — The race for the title has been nervy all season, never more so than today, but United have just seized the initiative. They go 1-0 up at Sunderland in the 20th minute thanks to Wayne Rooney's close range header. As it stands, United will be champions Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

footy: Everton v Newcastle United - Premier League — Meanwhile Newcastle have fallen behind by two goals at Everton, all but ending their ambitions of finishing third. Nikica Jelavic (pictured) scored Everton's second in the 27th minute Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

football4: Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta — With half-time approaching and City aware of United's lead, City's Pablo Zabaleta lashes the ball through the hands of QPR's goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and it loops towards the net ... Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

football8: Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Premier League — ... and drops in via the post, much to Carlos Tevez's delight! City are back on top of the league Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

football6: Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta — Zabaletta is overjoyed - and his team-mates are mighty relieved Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

football7: Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers - Premier League — Having conceded an early goal at Stoke, Bolton score twice just before half-time to take an unexpected lead and lift themselves above QPR. As it stands at half-time: City will be champions, Tottenham third, QPR relegated Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

football9: sport — After those tumultuous first-halves, the second halves follow suit. Queens Park Rangers equalize against City through a stinging shot from Djibril Cisse in the 48th minute following Joleon Lescott's mistake. That has lifted QPR out of the relegation zone and put United back on top of the table Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

footy: footy — At the Hawthorns, Arsenal retake the lead as Laurent Koscielny scores from close range. They're now back up to third Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

football10: sport — At the Etihad, QPR soon implode - or, rather, Joey Barton does - as the Rangers skipper elbows Carlos Tevez in the face, is rightfully sent off, and then knees Sergio Aguero in the leg during a wild exit from the pitch Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

football11: Soccer - Barclays Premier League — But ten-man QPR break on a counter-attack and score - it's outrageous Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

football11: Queens Park Rangers — Jamie Mackie is the hero for QPR. City now need a two goal swing to rescue their title hopes ... and time is running low Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

football12: Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League — United's supporters hear the news Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

footy: sport — Bolton's survival chances nose-dive further when Adam Bogdan fouls Peter Crouch and gives Stoke a penalty from which they equalise. It's 2-2. Bolton must score a third and hope Man City can do them a favour Photograph: Paul Harding/Action Images

football12: sport — Roberto Mancini, the City manager, cannot believe his side's title bid is minutes from failure Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

football14: sport — United ride out their match, winning 1-0, and the players are left stranded on the pitch awaiting further news from the Etihad Stadium ... And worrying news soon arrives - City have just equalised through Edin Dzeko's header. City now have four minutes of injury time to score again and snatch the title from United Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

football13: Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Premier League — You just knew it didn't you? With time almost up, Sergio Aguero nips through the Rangers box and slams a shot into the net! Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

football13: Soccer - Barclays Premier League — What a way to win the league. Not since 1989 has there been such late, late drama. They've literally won the title in injury time Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

football13: Soccer - Barclays Premier League — Mancini galavants around the pitch like a child Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

football14: sport — The final whistle blows and City fans burst onto the pitch Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

football12: Soccer - Barclays Premier League — Mario Balotelli has to flee the invasion Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

football14: Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League — United's players hear of City's remarkable comeback and scarcely know where to look or what to do Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

football14: Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League — United's fans are devastated Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

football15: Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers - Premier League — But they should spare a thought for Bolton, who, despite drawing 2-2 at Stoke and despite QPR losing, have been relegated. Tim Ream of Bolton Wanderers bites his shirt while other players sink to the turf Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

footy: sport — Bolton's fans are devastated. they'll be joining Wolves and Blackburn in the Championship next season. Elsewhere, Arsenal have edged to a 3-2 victory over West Brom to claim third place ahead of Spurs (who were 2-0 victors over Fulham) and Newcastle (who were 3-1 losers to Everton) Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images

sport: Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Premier League — This is a moment they must have thought would never come: Vincent Kompany, the captain of Manchester City, lifts the Premier League trophy ... To see more images from City's triumph, click here Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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