Manchester United won the title for the first time since 2003 as Chelsea could only manage a draw at Arsenal yesterday. The 1-1 score line, at the end of London fixture yesterday, meant that Blues finally lost the Premiership crown to the Red Devils. Manchester United had won on Saturday against Manchester City and this meant that Chelsea had to win at the Emirates Stadium to have any chance of catching up with United’s eight-point lead. Mourinho’s depleted squad could however, only manage a draw and this spelt an end for the title race with two games left in the season’s campaign for both clubs.
Weekend’s deciders
On Saturday, Manchester United took on their local rivals Manchester City. It was a game of two penalties, one for either side either half of the match. United’s inform midfielder Christiano Ronaldo won a penalty when he was brought down by City’s left-back in the 34th minute. He got up and neatly converted from the spot in 34th minute. City were themselves awarded a penalty when Ball collided with Wes Brown in the 81st minute. Darius Vassell took the spot kick but Van der Sar’s outstretched legs contrived to deny him. At the end of the full time, score read 1-0 in favor of United. With the win, Red Devils put an eight-point lead between themselves and Blues making it imperative for the latter to win at Arsenal on Sunday.
Sunday’s game, as expected was an exciting affair. Arsenal looked comfortable and played their brand of one touch football. Chelsea’s stretched squad had to make-do without their striker Didier Drogba and their defense too looked depleted with Ashley Cole missing the action. Just before half-time. Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off for making a clumsy tackle from behind on Arsenal’s striker Julio Baptista. So in 43rd minute, Gilberto sent Cech wrong way to make the scoreline read 1-0, heading into the half-time. Arsenal had several chances to increase their lead after the break but failed to capitalize. Chelsea mustered all their strength for assaults on arsenal’s goal and were rewarded in the 70th minute when Michael Essien glanced in a header from a Shaun Wright-Phillips’ cross. Lampard could have won it in the dying stages but shot just wide. In the end score was all square, igniting wild celebrations among United’s fans.
Managers’ reactions
Expectedly, Mourinho was disappointed but did not criticize his team. Instead, he praised his players for chasing United till the very end. He said:
I’m very very proud of my players. When a team has a lot of success and loses it’s usually down to lack of motivation, but my team were the opposite - they were brilliant, fighting against everything, and the game today was one to remember.
He asked the fans to support players in defeat and was even gracious enough to congratulate Sir Alex Ferguson and United’s players and fans.
On the other hand, Sir Alex was ecstatic on United’s Premiership success. He said:
It’s a fantastic day for the club and the supporters. Over the last two years, Chelsea has dominated the Premier League, and yes, we had a big job to do to catch up with them. The key was having a good start to the season and trying to stay with them.
He had kind words for his archrival and said that he would be sorry to see Mourinho leave Chelsea, come the end of the season. This is a distinct possibility after a poor end to Chelsea’s campaign which once looked headed for trophies on four fronts. Sir Alex said that he was convinced about Jose’s future at Stanford Bridge. He was quoted as saying:
I don’t pay attention to the talk about Jose’s future. I don’t think there is a great substance to these reports. I think he will be there next year.
His good opinion of Jose might still change as there are two meetings remaining between the clubs this season. First one is a premiership clash on Wednesday. The other meeting is the FA Cup final at Wembley.
United’s ninth premiership title after a gap of three years would be especially pleasing to all its fans who were praying for an end to Chelsea’s domination. Chelsea’s two year spell at the top ended which means they cannot replicate United’s three successive titles of 99-03.
Finally, I leave you with a sight that not many have seen before. Manchester United’s fans cheering an Arsenal goal.
Source: Eurosport
