Manchester City win Premier League title in thrilling finale By John Sinnott May 13, 2012 -- Updated 1641 GMT (0041 HKT) Manchester City's Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta celebrates after scoring in the final game of the EPL. London (CNN) -- Manchester City won their first league title in 44 years to deny rivals Manchester United a 20th league championship in a gripping conclusion to the English Premier League season. Defending champions United, who secured a 1-0 away win at Sunderland thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal, had looked on course to win the title before City scored two remarkable stoppage-time goals to fashion an improbable 3-2 home victory against Queens Park Rangers. City had led the table on goal difference at the start of Sunday and Pablo Zabaleta's first-half goal suggested Roberto Mancini's side would comfortably win their first title since 1968. But a mistake by Joleon Lescott allowed Djibril Cisse to level and following Barton's dismissal Jamie Mackie popped up to head in QPR's second goal to give United fans hope that their team might snatch the title from their city rivals. City bombarded the QPR penalty area and in stoppage time Edin Dzeko headed home to give their fans hope, before Sergio Ageuro scored a stunning individual winner in a finale that no script writer would have dared penned. It was a goal that ensured City won the title on goal difference in the Premier League's 20th season, arguably the most dramatic finish in its history given it was decided in the last three minutes. If Bolton had beaten Stoke City away - and at one stage Owen Coyle's side led 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium, QPR would have been relegated. But a 77th-minute Jonathan Walters goal earned Stoke a 2-2 draw to relegate Bolton to the Championship and allow QPR - managed by former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes - to remain in the Premier League.