There will be a few sore heads in Manchester this morning, the result of a big bash thrown to celebrate the return of the Barclays Premier League title.

This is the second that City have won in two years and it was commemorate in style yesterday; the party starting with an enjoyable win against West Ham United and ending in a cloud of confetti and a kerry-oot in the dressing room afterwards. There was even an ad hoc game of pass the parcel, as the City squad handed the trophy to one another during a lap of the pitch.

You had to hand it to them yesterday. This was done grudgingly by the players of Liverpool - a team who had led the title race for so long only to win on the final day and still finish second - but was seized with alacrity by the champions all the same. City finished the day two goals to the good and two points ahead in the table.

A match with West Ham past by almost in a blur, so there would seem to be little merit in poring over the details now. Suffice to say that Samir Nasri scored the first goal for the home side after 39 minutes, Vincent Kompany added the second four minutes after the break and the West Ham players each arrived punctually before kick off. They slipped quietly away at full-time too.

They could be forgiven for stealing away without a fuss. The campaign has been wearing on the London club and not least manager Sam Allardyce, who is not certain of remaining in the post beyond the summer.

There was attention placed on the future of Manuel Pellegrini too, with his players tipping the City manager to lead his side to sustained success in the coming seasons. This was the Chilean's first European league title but amid the cacophony of noise that shook the Etihad Stadium at full-time, you would not have heard anyone success that it will be his last.

"I'm so happy for the manager because it's his first title in Europe," said Nasri, turning to check whether or not his manager was in ear-shot. "He remained calm. It was a pleasure to work for him. It's an amazing feeling."

That was a sentiment expressed by Pellegrini, although with a greater attempt to maintain his repose. The City manager has worked earnestly during the season and appears to have salved the wounds of a squad which appeared frayed by dissent this team last year.

"It was my first season in the Premier League and I had to change a lot of things," said the Chilean, the first non-European to coach a team to an English Premier League title. "The most important thing was we changed absolutely the way this team play. I am not criticising other styles or comparing, I like to play one way and for me it was very important to give the reasons and to have the trust of the players to change the way they played before.

"When I arrived at this club maybe the relations between the squad were not in the best moment so I think it was very important to have calm and try to convince all of them how we can play and how was it was important to be very close - all of us, managers, players and fans - to try to win a very difficult title.

"I think the way we played is was as important as winning the title, the way we did it with the players and the fans enjoying it. We have players to play in counter-attack but for me, to win titles just in that way, I will not be happy. We won with 102 goals and with the record of goals in all competitions in the history in England it is the way the team must play.

"It has been a brilliant season. I would say of all the sides, that we kept going longest in all four competitions."

It was long enough to clinch the league trophy. Yesterday you had to hand it to them.