Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions for the second time in three years after coasting to a 2-0 win over West Ham.
Manuel Pellegrini's side realistically only needed a point to secure
the title and there was no repeat of the final-day drama of two years
ago, when Sergio Aguero's last-gasp strike against QPR ensured they
became champions of England for the first time in 44 years.
West Ham were simply unable to live with City in a one-sided encounter on Sunday, and Samir Nasri gave the home side a thoroughly deserved half-time lead at the Etihad Stadium.
Captain Vincent Kompany doubled the advantage early in the second half to ensure the vastly experienced Pellegrini marked his first season in English football by winning both the Premier League and the League Cup.
City's final-day victory ensured they won 17 out of 19 league games at fortress Etihad Stadium this season and took their goal tally to an outstanding 102 in the top flight during a superb debut season at the helm for their Chilean manager.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had stated his intention to spoil the City party, but that never looked like happening and Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Newcastle United ensured that City ultimately won the title by two points.
Despite the obvious tension around the ground, City - who welcomed leading scorer Aguero back from injury - were brimming with confidence after four consecutive victories and wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game.
Pellegrini's side had already beaten West Ham three times this season, including a 6-0 hammering in the League Cup semi-final first leg, and David Silva spurned a chance to give them an early lead when he volleyed over the crossbar at the back post 10 minutes in.
The marauding Pablo Zabaleta then went down under a challenge from Mohamed Diame, but referee Martin Atkinson waved play on as City dominated.
News of Newcastle United opening the scoring at Anfield filtered through to the City fans and Aleksandar Kolarov almost raised the decibel level further when his venomous left-foot strike from long range was tipped over by Adrian.
West Ham sat deep and were proving difficult to break down, but showed no attacking threat of their own and rarely got out of their own half.
And it came as no surprise when Nasri opened the scoring six minutes before the break.
The France midfielder was afforded too much space 20 yards from goal and made West Ham pay, as Adrian failed to keep out a right-footed strike that nestled just inside the far post.
Any nerves City may still have had were eased just four minutes after the break, when Edin Dzeko tried to bring down Nasri's corner and the ball fell kindly for Kompany, who fired home from just six yards.
Pellegrini punched the air in delight and jubilant City fans marked their captain's strike with their now-familiar 'Poznan' backs-to-the-pitch celebration.
The impressive Zabaleta provided a golden opportunity for Argentina team-mate Aguero to make it even more comfortable 67 minutes in, but the former Atletico Madrid man failed to get a decent contact on the ball from close range after the full-back had picked him out.
Adrian then got down well to deny Nasri as City pressed for a third goal that would have equalled Chelsea's record of 103 Premier League goals in a season, but that was never going to take the gloss off their joy at regaining the title as City fans stormed the pitch at the final whistle in celebration.
West Ham were simply unable to live with City in a one-sided encounter on Sunday, and Samir Nasri gave the home side a thoroughly deserved half-time lead at the Etihad Stadium.
Captain Vincent Kompany doubled the advantage early in the second half to ensure the vastly experienced Pellegrini marked his first season in English football by winning both the Premier League and the League Cup.
City's final-day victory ensured they won 17 out of 19 league games at fortress Etihad Stadium this season and took their goal tally to an outstanding 102 in the top flight during a superb debut season at the helm for their Chilean manager.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had stated his intention to spoil the City party, but that never looked like happening and Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Newcastle United ensured that City ultimately won the title by two points.
Despite the obvious tension around the ground, City - who welcomed leading scorer Aguero back from injury - were brimming with confidence after four consecutive victories and wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game.
Pellegrini's side had already beaten West Ham three times this season, including a 6-0 hammering in the League Cup semi-final first leg, and David Silva spurned a chance to give them an early lead when he volleyed over the crossbar at the back post 10 minutes in.
The marauding Pablo Zabaleta then went down under a challenge from Mohamed Diame, but referee Martin Atkinson waved play on as City dominated.
News of Newcastle United opening the scoring at Anfield filtered through to the City fans and Aleksandar Kolarov almost raised the decibel level further when his venomous left-foot strike from long range was tipped over by Adrian.
West Ham sat deep and were proving difficult to break down, but showed no attacking threat of their own and rarely got out of their own half.
And it came as no surprise when Nasri opened the scoring six minutes before the break.
The France midfielder was afforded too much space 20 yards from goal and made West Ham pay, as Adrian failed to keep out a right-footed strike that nestled just inside the far post.
Any nerves City may still have had were eased just four minutes after the break, when Edin Dzeko tried to bring down Nasri's corner and the ball fell kindly for Kompany, who fired home from just six yards.
Pellegrini punched the air in delight and jubilant City fans marked their captain's strike with their now-familiar 'Poznan' backs-to-the-pitch celebration.
The impressive Zabaleta provided a golden opportunity for Argentina team-mate Aguero to make it even more comfortable 67 minutes in, but the former Atletico Madrid man failed to get a decent contact on the ball from close range after the full-back had picked him out.
Adrian then got down well to deny Nasri as City pressed for a third goal that would have equalled Chelsea's record of 103 Premier League goals in a season, but that was never going to take the gloss off their joy at regaining the title as City fans stormed the pitch at the final whistle in celebration.
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