London ( CNN ) -- Manchester City won the English league title for the first time in 44 years to deny rivals Manchester United a 20th domestic championship in a gripping conclusion to the Premier League season . Defending champions United had looked on course to win the title after winning 1-0 at Sunderland thanks to Wayne Rooney 's first-half effort , but 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 a red card for QPR midfielder Joey Barton , Jamie Mackie popped up to head in the visitors ' second goal to give United fans hope that their team might yet 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 Aguero scored a stunning individual winner in a finale that no script writer would have dared pen . 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 . `` To win it like this is incredible , '' Mancini , who at times during the second half gave the impression he could barely believe his side appeared to be doing all they could to throw away the title , told Sky Sports . `` I do n't think I 've ever seen a finale like this . `` We did n't deserve to lose , we had a lot of chances and we deserved to win the game and championship . `` It 's fantastic for the club and the supporters after 44 years . It 's been a crazy season and a crazy last minute . '' In 1999 United won the Champions League final with two stoppage-time goals against Bayern Munich in Barcelona and Sunday 's epic events bore parallel , though this time the Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson had to suffer as victory was snatched away from him in those heart-palpitating final moments . `` I would like to say on behalf of Manchester United congratulations to our neighbors , '' said Ferguson . `` It 's a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League . It 's the hardest league in the world and anyone who wins it deserves it . '' The rollercoaster game at the Eithad Stadium that wrung every ounce of emotion out of both City and QPR fans had consequences at the other end of the table given a Rangers defeat would have condemned them to relegation if Bolton Wanderers had beaten Stoke City away -- and at one stage Owen Coyle 's side led 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium . 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 stay up in the Premier League . Arsenal finished third after a 3-2 win at West Brom to secure their Champions League place , while north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur beat Fulham 2-0 to take fourth . Spurs will join Arsenal in the Champions League only if Chelsea lose to Bayern Munich in the European Cup final on May 19 . Newcastle 's hopes of a Champions League place evaporated after a 3-1 defeat at Everton , though Alan Pardew 's team have the consolation of a Europa League place . It is estimated that Manchester City 's owner Sheikh Mansour from the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has invested close to $ 1.6 billion in securing this Premier League title . The title gives City 's owners huge kudos , though not necessarily immediate financial benefits . `` It should be remembered that there is a price of success , namely bonus payments to players and managers , '' financial blogger Kieron O'Connor , who writes the Swiss Ramble blog , told CNN . `` In fact , it is entirely possible that the net financial result might be negative for a direct comparison between finishing first or second , though it might be different if the comparison is against coming , say , sixth the previous season . '' It is a title that City probably should have wrapped up a long time ago . At one stage in December after their barnstorming start to the season -- notably a 6-1 win over the defending champions at Old Trafford -- City were eight points of United after beating Norwich 5-1 . However , a combination of Carlos Tevez going AWOL after falling out with Mancini , Yaya Toure 's absence as he played for the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations , David Silva 's dip in form and Mario Balotelli 's ill-disciplined antics allowed the defending champions to claw back that deficit and go eight points clear . But a disastrous April for United -- including a 1-0 defeat by City at the Eithad Stadium -- enabled Mancini 's team to move top on goal difference going into the final round of matches . Sunday 's games were broadcast to 211 countries around the world -- testament to the Premier League 's global appeal . The remarkable end to the season could not have come at a better time for the league given it has recently announced the new tender for its next three-year broadcasting rights starting from the 2013-14 season . `` Games going down to the last game of the season will certainly increase interest and may in turn show the league as more valuable because of the unresolved title , Champions League and relegation issues , '' said lawyer Daniel Geey of Field Fisher Waterhouse . Sunday 's 10 games also ensured this was the most prolific Premier League season ever with 1,066 goals , beating last season 's record total of 1,063 .
Premier League title decided in stoppage time of Manchester City 's game with QPR . Manchester City win their first league title since 1968 . Arsenal qualify for Champions League after win at West Brom . Comment: