Pints, chants and speeches ... stars party down the pub

MANCHESTER CITY’S title party started with pints, jagerbombs, dancing and singing at a humble local pub in Hale last night. Having been surprised by Manchester United’s shock home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, City’s superstars headed for the Railway in Hale to celebrate. The players bought drinks for everyone in the bar and captain Vincent Kompany issued a passionate speech while holding a pint of Guinness. The title-winners headed across the road to the Hale Wine Bar at 8.30, where Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva sang the Oasis classic Wonderwall and Kyle Walker banged on the windows and wrote ‘CITY’ into the condensation on the glass. Kompany stood on a chair at the Railway, telling the room: ‘If there’s kids in the room, cover their ears or send them out.’ He spoke to some of City’s most ardent supporters, saying: ‘It’s a been a f****** long journey, especially if you have been a blue for more than 40 years in your heart. But tonight, we won it again! So let’s celebrate together...’ Centre back John Stones was among the loudest singers, standing on the seating to chant about team-mate Yaya Toure and brother Kolo while wearing a blue-and-white City scarf. At the wine bar, lamps were swung around in the raucous celebrations while Blue Moon and other City chants rang out. The players left the bar at 10.25 to continue the celebrations elsewhere. Right back Walker led chants of ‘campione’ as they were whisked off into taxis. The group of players were joined by backroom staff. But missing out were Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane, who were in Germany to watch former club Schalke play and goalkeeper Ederson, who was back at his old club Benfica for a game. City’s players have today and tomorrow off. Their next game is against Swansea City at the Etihad on Sunday.