Manchester City have been confirmed as English Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons, without even having to kick a ball, after second-placed Arsenal's challenge ended in defeat away at Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal, who enjoyed an eight-point lead over City as recently as mid-March, needed at least a point to stay mathematically in the hunt, but went down 1-0.
City, who host Chelsea on Monday (NZ time), have 85 points with three games to play, while Arsenal are on 81 with one game left.
City have won their seventh Premier League title since they were bought by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008 and are now just two wins away from completing a treble only previously achieved by Manchester United in 1999.
City face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3 and take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final a week later, starting big favourites in both games.
While Arsenal have threatened to knock City off their perch this season, that challenge proved an illusion in the end, as Pep Guardiola's side again proved relentless in the run-in.
Since losing to Tottenham Hotspur in February, they have taken 40 points from the next 42 on offer and have won their last 11 matches. They have also comprehensively beaten Arsenal home and away.
If City win their last three games, they will reach 94 points, not as many as the totals they achieved in 2017/18 and 2018/19 - Guardiola's first two league titles - but the way they have finished the season suggests the gap between them and the rest is widening.
Arsenal will have to be content with the runners-up spot and a return to the Champions League, after a five-year absence.
Manager Mikel Arteta will have much to ponder, as he analyses how the Gunners buckled under City's relentless pressure. Defeat at Forest means Arsenal have won only two of their last eight matches in the league.
Earlier, midfielder Casemiro scored a brilliant acrobatic volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 win at Bournemouth, taking them closer to Champions League football next season.
United moved on to 69 points in fourth place on the table, behind Newcastle United on goal difference, and needing one point from home games against Chelsea and Fulham next week to seal a return to European club football's most prestigious competition.
The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead in the ninth minute, when Cherries defender Marcos Senesi tried to hook away a Christian Eriksen pass behind the defence, but only succeeded in teeing up Casemiro for a brilliant spinning volley.
Winger Antony wasted decent chances, while substitute Wout Weghorst and midfielder Bruno Fernandes both forced fine saves from Neto, and it looked like it was only a matter of time before United scored again.
They were almost made to pay for their wayward finishing, when substitute Kieffer Moore bore down on De Gea late on, but the keeper blocked his shot and the danger was averted.
There was still time for one more chance for the home side, with Senesi firing just over the bar, but United held on for a win that prompted wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.
Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic late equaliser to keep Liverpool's slim chances of a top-four finish alive with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
In his final appearance at Anfield after eight seasons with the Merseyside club, the Brazilian scored in the 89th minute to the delight of the crowd in Liverpool's last home game of the season.
Jurgen Klopp's side are fifth with 66 points, with one game remaining, but three points adrift of fourth-place Manchester United, who have a game in hand. Unai Emery's Villa are seventh, with 58 points from 37 games.
After a period of sustained pressure, Jacob Ramsey put Villa ahead in the 27th minute, darting to the back post to head a cross from Douglas Luiz past goalkeeper Allison.
Villa could have taken the lead five minutes earlier, when they were awarded a penalty, but Ollie Watkins sent his shot sailing wide.
Liverpool thought they had levelled early in the second half from a close-range goal by Cody Gakpo, but after a lengthy video check, it was ruled out for offside.
To secure a Champions League berth, Liverpool must win their final game at Southampton next week, and hope that Man United and Newcastle United lose their remaining two games.
Reuters
