Manchester City pip Liverpool to Premier League title after beating Brighton 4-1

Manchester City defeated Brighton 4-1 to retain the English Premier League trophy.

Pep Guardiola's sideended the season with 98 points, just two shy of last season's record-breaking 100, while Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers saw them end on 97 -- by far the largest tally for a Premier League runners-up.

Needing a 14th successive league win to be certain of prevailing in an unprecedented title duel, City outclassed the opponent in a devastating fashion.

In the first-half Brighton took a lead when at their Amex Stadium through Glenn Murray.

But Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Aymeric Laporte and Ilkay Gundogan scored to inspire the team towards their consecutive EPL title.

Liverpool also won the match against Wolves but finished second in the title race.

With Liverpool, who began the day one point behind, leading, the Anfield club would still have hoped for something extraordinary to happen in the south coast sunshine.

But when Riyad Mahrez drove an unstoppable shot past Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan's despairing dive just past the hour, City's fans could finally get the party started.

Ilkay Gundogan's majestic free-kick made it 4-1 to put the icing on another glorious day for City who are the first club to retain the Premier League title for 10 years.