MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich clinched a sixth successive Bundesliga title with five games to spare on Saturday by winning 4-1 at Augsburg despite falling behind to a bizarre own goal.
Bayern’s celebrations looked in danger of being delayed when the ball went into their net off their own defender Niklas Suele but Corentin Tolisso and James Rodriguez replied for the Bavarians before halftime.
Arjen Robben and Sandro Wagner then put the finishing touches in the second half.
Bayern, who have 72 points from 29 games, moved 20 ahead of Schalke 04, who have six games to play including Saturday evening’s visit to lowly Hamburg SV.
Augsburg dominated the first half-hour and took an 18th-minute lead with one of the oddest goals Bayern have conceded for a long time.
In England, Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations were put on hold as rivals Manchester United produced a remarkable comeback from two goals down to win their derby clash 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
A win for City would have clinched the title but instead their first home defeat in the league this season leaves Pep Guardiola’s side with a 13 point lead with six games remaining.
City left several regular starters on the bench ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool.
Nonetheless, they were 2-0 up within half an hour thanks to a Vincent Kompany header from a corner and a clever finish from Ilkay Guendogan.
But two goals from Paul Pogba in the 53rd and 55th minutes brought United level.
Chris Smalling, left unmarked in the box, then grabbed the winner in the 69th minute – side-footing home a floated free kick from Alexis Sanchez.
City felt they should have had a penalty when substitute Sergio Aguero went down under a challenge from Ashley Young.
They also came close to an equaliser when David de Gea made a brilliant save to keep out a header from Aguero and Raheem Sterling hit the post.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said after the match that his team deserved more respect: “We deserve a bit more respect than people give.
“I think we are a bit better than what people think. The players are a bit better than what people think and I am a bit better than what people think.”
Mourinho also told reporters that he congratulated Guardiola after the game on winning the title, regardless of today’s result.
“Of course they are frustrated because they wanted to do it today, but I congratulate them for the title because they are going to win and deservedly,” he said.
