Sports briefs: Manchester City claims EPL crown

soccer • Manchester City won the Premier League for the second time in three seasons with a 2-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday that required far less drama than two years ago.

City won behind goals from Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany, meaning Liverpool's 2-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield was meaningless and City finished two points above the Merseyside club.

As soon as the final whistle was blown, thousands of fans flooded the Etihad Stadium field, setting off blue flares. For a club that has spent so much time in the shadow of Manchester United — last year's champion — this was just the fourth time in its 134-year history that fans could celebrate a league title. In 2012, City won the title on goal difference ahead of neighbor United after coming from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers on the final day.

Nadal, Sharapova reign in Spain

tennis • Rafael Nadal won his fourth Madrid Open title on Sunday after Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw with a back injury when trailing 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 in the final.

Earlier, Maria Sharapova bounced back from a poor start to defeat Simona Halep 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 to win the women's title.

Nadal became the first repeat winner in Madrid, and recovered from two recent quarterfinal losses on clay to win his second title on the surface and third overall this year.

Cavendish wins sprint in California

cycling • Mark Cavendish surged ahead of John Degenkolb in a thrilling sprint to win the first stage of the Tour of California on Sunday in Sacramento in the closest finish in the event's nine-year history. Degenkolb and Cavendish raced shoulder-to-shoulder until Cavendish threw the rim of his bicycle's tire just ahead as he crossed the line in a photo finish.

Cavendish completed the 120-mile stage in 4 hours, 47 minutes, 17 seconds for the Omega Pharma-Quick Step Cycling Team

From wire reports