A 2 – 0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at the Hawthorns saw West Brom being relegated from top-flight English football.

But Liverpool were left with the hollow feeling of knowing that even the best points total in the club’s history had failed to stop Manchester United equalling their record of 18 titles.

Albion, sticking to their attacking policy to the last, have been battling the drop all season and this was their third relegation from the top flight in seven years.

They fought to the last, and there were more cheers than tears from their defiant fans at the end.

But Liverpool were a class above as Steven Gerrard struck his 24th goal of the season – his best ever tally – in the first half and then set up Dirk Kuyt for the second just after the hour mark.

It was enough to take them to within one point of securing runners-up spot.

West Brom made three changes from the side that beat Wigan last week and were rocked before kick-off by Sunday newspaper allegations against striker Roman Bednar, who was suspended pending a club investigation.

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A goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday was enough for Alex Ferguson‘s Manchester United side to secure the English Premier League title for a record equalling 18th time. Having sealed a third successive title, as well as the League Cup and Club World Cup this season, Ferguson has now set his sights on bringing the curtain down on a hugely successful campaign with a second consecutive European Cup triumph when United face Barca in Rome on May 27.

Before then United face relegation-threatened Hull in their final league game of the season next weekend, but Ferguson admitted his players were already looking forward to facing the Spanish league leaders.

“Now we’ve won the league we’re bouncing into the final in Rome,” said Ferguson as he savoured his 11th English title since taking charge of United in 1986.

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