Qarabağ end 21-year wait for Azerbaijani title

Qarabağ FK beat second-placed İnter Bakı PİK 4-1 to clinch their first Azerbaijani Premier League title in 21 years with two games to go.

Gurban Gurbanov's side took an unassailable nine-point lead over their nearest rivals and ended Neftçi PFK's three-year reign as champions with an impressive win in Baku. Reynaldo capped a fine start for Qarabağ with opener on 13 minutes and the visitors spurned two good chances to equalise before half-time, including one effort which hit the frame of the goal.

Reynaldo doubled the advantage midway into the second half before Bachana Tskhadadze pulled one back for İnter. Qarabağ's Brazilian midfielder Reynaldo completed his hat-trick and scored a 22nd goal of the season to put the result beyond doubt five minutes from time, leaving substitute Muarem Muarem to add a fourth late on. They now enter the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.

Gurbanov, in charge since 2008, said: "We have been waiting for this day for a very long time. I want to congratulate everybody fior this victory and this title. İnter also had a good season and also deserved the title."

Tskhadadze added: "My congratulations to Qarabağ, who deserved their title. Nobody took us seriously after the first six matchdays, but we came to life and I consider this second-placed finish as a success. I have worked in Azerbaijan for five years now and won different medals except gold. Maybe it is not the right time to leave, but I haven't made a decision about my future yet."