Big guns primed for title tilt
Sunday, 11 May 2008 12:21
The Premier League title race is going down to the final match
Manchester United stand on the verge of a second successive Premier League title, with Wigan Athletic the only team capable of denying them at this late stage.
If Alex Ferguson's men beat the Latics – managed by former United legend Steve Bruce – then they will take the league title.
However, any sort of a slip from the Red Devils – even just a draw - would open the door for Avram Grant's Chelsea side, who have emerged as contenders thanks to a remarkable run of form over the last few months.
United seemed to be cruising towards the domestic title thanks to the form of Premier League player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and his equally devastating strike partners Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.
But the Blues, to their credit, have kept plugging away at the champions' lead to maintain the pressure, even after the challenge of former league leaders Arsenal faded faster than a damp Catherine Wheel.
Chelsea and United go into today's games equal on points, following the Blues' win at Stamford Bridge in the big showdown late last month and United's draw against Blackburn Rovers the previous weekend.
Even now, some Chelsea fans may find it hard to believe that they are even in with a shout - let alone a quite legitimate one – following their disastrous home draw with United's final opponents.
Avram Grant's men gave up a last-minute equaliser to Wigan at the Bridge for a 1-1 draw that seemed to end their hopes.
But after the late Michael Ballack penalty in the top-of-the-table clash on April 26th, and Chelsea's solid 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Monday, the Blues now need only to better their rivals' result to snatch what would be an unlikely third crown in four seasons.