City nabs title after arch-rivals lose

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City won the Premier League title without even playing on Sunday when nearest challenger Manchester United surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to last-place West Bromwich Albion.

It was City’s third title in seven seasons and easily its most convincing, with Pep Guardiola’s team 16 points clear and still having five games to play this season. City’s other two Premier League triumphs, in 2012 and ‘14, were sealed on the final day.

Second-place United dragged the title race out for at least another week by winning 3-2 at City last weekend, only to gift the trophy to City by losing to a team that is destined for relegation and had just one league win since August.

Guardiola might not have seen Jay Rodriguez’s 73rd-minute winning goal at Old Trafford because he was due to be playing golf with his son instead of watching the match.

“Our Time. Our City. Premier League Champions 17/18,” City tweeted soon after the final whistle, when the fifth English topflight title of its history was assured.