Classy United on the brink
04 May 2008 - 18:22:30
Manchester United are only 90 minutes away from retaining the Premier League title after Saturday's 4-1 victory over West Ham United at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils knew that victory over the Hammers in their penultimate league game would move them three points ahead of Chelsea with their title rivals not in action until Monday.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side raced into a three-goal lead within the opening half-an-hour as Cristiano Ronaldo's brace took his season's tally to 30 in the league while Carlos Tevez scored against his former side.
Dean Ashton pulled one back for the visitors, who were then given extra hope when Nani was sent off for aiming a head-butt at Lucas Neill following a spat in the penalty area.
But Michael Carrick - also against his former club - settled the nerves around Old Trafford with a fourth of the afternoon in the 59th minute, meaning United will wrap up a second consecutive title should they defeat Wigan Athletic next Sunday.
The great escape remains a possibility for Fulham after they clawed their way out of the relegation places with a priceless 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Birmingham City.
Brian McBride's 52nd-minute strike put Roy Hodgson's resurgent side ahead and Erik Nevland's 87th-minute second settled a nervy encounter at Craven Cottage.
Fulham move up two places to 17th and know that victory at Portsmouth next weekend will keep them in the Premier League.
However, it's a different story for Birmingham City who are now second bottom of the table and in danger of lasting just one season in the top-flight.
Reading have also been dragged back into the drop-zone after losing 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Robbie Keane's 16th-minute strike separated the sides at the Madejski Stadium and left the Royals needing to defeat Derby County on the final day of the season, and hoping other results go in their favour, if they are to retain their top-flight status.
Bolton though realistically confirmed their safety with a battling 2-0 win over Sunderland.
El Hadji Diouf marked his farewell appearance at the Reebok Stadium with the opener and a Daryl Murphy own goal confirmed the points for the home side.
The Trotters are now three points clear of Reading in the final relegation place, but are basically safe by virtue of a far superior goal difference to either the Royals or Fulham.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa's hopes of toppling Everton from fifth spot are all but over after they lost 2-0 to Wigan Athletic at Villa Park. Martin O'Neill's side slumped to defeat after Luis Antonio Valencia struck twice at Villa Park.
Everton are three points clear of Villa with one game of the season left after losing 1-0 at Arsenal - Nicklas Bendtner scoring the vital goal while Fernando Torres netted as Liverpool beat Manchester City by the same scoreline.
Derby County will end a miserable season with the lowest points total in Premier League history after losing 3-1 at Blackburn Rovers.
Paul Jewell's hapless side needed to win their final two games to avoid being relegated with less than the record 15 points but, despite taking the lead at Ewood Park, lost for the 28th time this season.
Kenny Miller's 19th-minute opener was cancelled out by two strikes from Roque Santa Cruz and another from Jason Roberts.
Middlesbrough were 2-0 winners over Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium as Gareth Southgate's side finally ended their own lingering fears of relegation courtesy of recalled defender Chris Riggott's first goal of the season and a second from Sanli Tuncay.