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Manchester United clinched their 11th Premier League and 18th overall league title courtesy of their goalless draw against Arsenal. United are now level with Liverpool on the total number of league wins. Astonishingly, when Liverpool won their last league championship, United had just won 7 of them.

There was no lack of incentive for both sides before the game started. Manchester United would have clinched the title if they could avoid defeat and Arsene Wenger would have wanted his side to end the season on a high note after finishing on the loosing side in 4 of their last 7 games.

Rio Ferdinand is still a worry for Sir Alex going in to the Champions league final as Jonny Evans again deputized for him, this time though it was just a calf strain keeping him out. Carlos Tevez earned a start after scoring twice in the last couple of games, with Berbatov dropping down to the bench. Other than that it was a full strength side that took the field for the Red Devils. For Arsenal, Robin Van Persie started up front, and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin recovered from a virus in time to make the starting eleven, relegating young England winger Theo Walcott to the bench. In what could be a clear message heading into the summer transfer window, Emmanuel Adebayor did not even travel with the Arsenal squad.

The game kicked off with United on the front foot but the first clear cut opportunity fell to Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman had a great chance to put Arsenal in the lead, but his free header from eight yards sailed over the cross bar in the 13th minute, a chance one would feel Nicklas Bendtner if selected to play up the Arsenal middle would have surely buried. Wayne Rooney also missed an easy header from Michael Carrick's beautiful cross 5 minutes later. Both teams' attacks were originating from the middle of the park as the lack of height in both the front lines meant that crosses from the flanks wouldn't be of much use.

Neither side could establish superiority for the rest of the 1st half. Both United and Arsenal played some neat football in and around the midfield, but found chances hard to come by. Samir Nasri and Ryan Giggs had good opportunities for Arsenal and United respectively a few minutes before the half time whistle. But Nasri's effort was blocked by one of his own teammates and Giggs couldn't keep his close range effort on target.

The 2nd half saw United playing like they would do in a European away tie, getting men behind the ball and inviting Arsenal to attack. The Gunners only a created one decent chance in the entire half and it fell to Fabregas in the 84th minute. The Arsenal captain hit a fierce left footed shot which was deflected onto the post by Edwin van der Sar. In the end Man United hung on to get the solitary point they required to win their 3rd consecutive title. Coincidentally, this was only the 2nd time during the eleven league titles that Ferguson has won with United that they have enjoyed the pleasure of celebrating in front of their own supporters, and they made the most of it!

Manchester United started the season slowly, drawing their 1st home game of the season against Newcastle United. But the turning point for them came around the turn of the year when they came back victorious from the World Club Championship and went on winning several games on the bounce, while the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea were not able to match them. There were hiccups along the way, most notably, consecutive losses to Liverpool and Fulham in March. But since the Fulham loss, United had won 7 games on the trot before drawing today's encounter with Arsenal. Ronaldo's outstanding goal scoring form in the latter stages of the campaign also played a crucial role in the title success.

But despite the awesome attacking talent at their disposal, this season's triumph was undoubtedly built on a rock solid defense. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were almost unbreachable for the most part of the season and the young Jonny Evans was an able replacement when either of them were unavailable.

United's 16 home wins was what differentiated them from their closest challengers, Liverpool. Their great Merseyside rivals drew 7 home games earlier in the season and most of those draws came against lesser opposition.

Up next, Barcelona in the Champions League final!

 

Later in the day, attention shifted to the bottom of the table. Newcastle suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Fulham and with Hull and Middlesbrough both drawing, the relegation battle will go down to the final matchday of the season. Diomansy Kamara scored a 1st half goal for Fulham. Mark Viduka had a goal harshly disallowed in the 2nd half. Newcastle also had Sebastien Bassong sent off, a decision which would give Shearer a selection headache going into the all important final game against Aston Villa (away) next Sunday.

Hull's 1-1 draw at Bolton meant that they moved out of the bottom 3 and are a point above Newcastle. Middlesbrough are still in 19th place, but still have a slim chance of getting themselves out of trouble. West Brom could also pull off a great survival act if they could get something from tomorrow's home game against Liverpool.

On the final day of the season Hull entertain champions Manchester United, who just might field a second string side with just 4 days to go for their Champions League Final. Middlesbrough meanwhile travel to West Ham, and West Brom are also on the road, away to Blackburn.

Should make for an incredibly exciting final Sunday!

RESULTS:

Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Hull City
Middlesbrough 1-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United 0-1 Fulham
Everton 3-1 West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester City
Stoke City 2-0 Wigan Athletic 

Photograph Copyright: Terry