LONDON - Manchester City were crowned English champions for the first time since 1968 when they won the Premier League title in thrilling fashion on Sunday. City scored twice in stoppage time to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 in their final game, finishing ahead of Manchester United, who won 1-0 at Sunderland, on goal difference. City and United both finished on 89 points with City's better goal difference settling the most gripping title race since Arsenal edged out Liverpool on the final day of the 1989-90 campaign. City had only needed a win against the London strugglers to prevail but after taking a first-half lead through Pablo Zabaleta the celebrations turned to disbelief as QPR hit back after the break with goals from Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie. To add some dynamite to an already explosive afternoon former City player Joey Barton was sent off for QPR after an off the ball elbow on Carlos Tevez. It did not prove too costly, however, as QPR retained their Premier League status at the expense of Bolton Wanderers who were relegated after a 2-2 draw at Stoke city. On a free-scoring climax to the English season Arsenal finished third, coming from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at the Hawthorns, edging Totetnham Hotspur into fourth after their north London rivals beat Fulham 2-0. Arsenal will join City and United in the Champions League group phase while Spurs face an anxious wait to see if they get a crack at a Champions League qualifying tie.