United clinches title as Chelsea draws with Arsenal
London, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United clinched its first Premiership title since the 2002-03 season on Sunday as a 10-man Chelsea squad was held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The two-time defending champions needed to win Sunday's game to keep their title hopes alive ahead of a big showdown with United at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. However, that task became increasingly difficult when defender Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off in the 43rd minute after taking down Arsenal's Julio Baptista inside the area. Gilberto converted the spot kick and Chelsea was left with a big hill to climb.
The visitors battled like champions in the second half, drawing level in the 70th minute courtesy of Michael Essien, but they were unable to find the match-winner in a frantic finish to the contest.
Chelsea was playing the match without wounded stars Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, leaving manager Jose Mourinho with limited options offensively. It showed in a first half that saw Chelsea unable to sustain any sort of attack, but the Blues also did not give away many chances either.
Emmanuel Adebayor was able to generate a couple of openings early in the half, but nothing seriously threatened the Chelsea net. The game turned with just two minutes to play before halftime with Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann launching a long kick that gave the Blues back line trouble. John Terry failed to deal with the clearance, leaving Boulahrouz vulnerable to the speed of Baptista. All the Chelsea defender could do once Baptista got in behind him was take out the Arsenal midfielder, which earned Boulahrouz a red card and gave the Gunners a penalty kick.
Gilberto made the most of the chance as he stepped up and sent keeper Petr Cech the wrong way, giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead at the break.
The final 30 minutes of the game were played at a frenetic pace, with a desperate Chelsea side needing two goals to keep its title dreams alive.
William Gallas almost made it a two-goal game, but he headed a corner from Francesc Fabregas just over the cross bar. Essien then made things interesting in the 70th minute when his glancing header flicked a low cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips past Lehmann to level the match.
The Arsenal netminder was called upon on a number of occasions in the final minutes. First he turned away a Frank Lampard effort that was headed for the lower left corner, and then the big German did well to get his hand to a shot from the top of the box off the foot of Salomon Kalou in the dying minutes to preserve a point for Arsenal and hand United the league title.
Comments
Good for United. They have had a great run this season but also a lot of difficulties with so many injuries to key players' towards the end. Lot's of other teams would have folded but United dispite having lot's of talent showed a lot of spirit & I hope they can carry that spirit to take the FA Cup as well.
Posted by: Scotty | May 6, 2007 03:52 PM
Yes Scotty, I agree. It would be the culmination to a fantastic season if united won the FA Cup. Although chelsea will be desperate to win something besides the league cup, I think United will come out as victors and complete the double. Come on United!!!
Posted by: bredred | May 6, 2007 04:19 PM
Well done United. I think this was the hardest out of all the league championships they've won. We really needed to have that good start to the season. I wish them all the best in the FA Cup. Bring it Chelsea!!
Posted by: Jay | May 7, 2007 10:11 AM
The mid-week clash between United & Chelsea should be an interesting one. As we all know United has a batch of injured players' but now Chelsea does as well. Ballack, Sheva, & Drogba are out. Ballack & Sheva for sure for the rest of the season & Drogba a big question. Still Joe Cole is back for Chelsea & United have younger players' that have been able to step up so it should be a good match. Watch for Ballack & Sheva to make an exit at the season's end. Sheva want's to go back to Milan & Jose want's Ballack gone period. United's Heinz might be going to Juve which would be interesting. He made some mistakes in both games against Milan but he's still a tough defender. I'm not surprised with all the games that are played now between regular league play & Champions League that there are so many injured players all over Europe. Sheva is a good player & he was great in his time at Milan. He just never was able to adjust in England which is too bad.
Posted by: Scotty | May 7, 2007 03:49 PM
GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED THE BEST TEAM IN THE LAND! Actually Scotty, I wouldn't expect much from this, suddenly meaningless, mid-week clash. It's a safe bet that both teams will put out B-Teams. Remember, they play each other again ten days later for Silverware. I'm sure they'll want their best available for the Final.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | May 7, 2007 04:35 PM
Good point Ghost, it's a shame...I was really looking forward to watching the midweek match, but it's gone from all-important to completely meaningless for both teams--other than a potential scouting match for the FA final. The most interesting league matches for the next week will involve the teams trying to avoid relegation.
Posted by: yoyo | May 7, 2007 05:18 PM
Rider chances are your right. Still I don't think Sheva or Ballack will be back for the FA Cup final. Ballack went under the knife for a long standing ankle injury last week & Sheva went under the knife for a hernia so I think these two are done from here on out. Drogba is the one in question as to if he will play mid-week or in the FA Cup final. Still that being said Chelsea is not hurting for talent. United on the other hand have more injuries at the moment but I still hope they take both games as they have had a great run the entire year. Go United!
Posted by: Scotty | May 7, 2007 05:20 PM
I love United Rider! I'll be glad when they bring Di Rossi back in from the cold as they have him out on loan. I really think he's the future for United as far as young up & coming players' go. They better hold onto him.
Posted by: Scotty | May 7, 2007 05:23 PM
United are a great side. Too bad they picked up so many injuries near the end. That's what really took the wind out of their sails in the CL. Otherwise their two game battle with Milan might have been closer. At least they won the EPL wich is no small feat as it's the toughest league at the moment to play in within world club soccer leagues.
Posted by: Henry | May 7, 2007 10:01 PM
Well Scotty, it's been confirmed that Sheva will not play again this season as well as Ballack. Scotty, I am praying United bring Rossi into the first team. Sir Alex said he wants to get another striker. Berbatov is the name being thrown out there. Spurs will ask for a big deal to let him go. I think Rossi & Rooney would make a great tandem. The only thing with Rossi is, he desperately wants to make Italian National Team and playing regularly in Italy helps his chances.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | May 8, 2007 01:33 AM
Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole. Manchester United no one can beat us we like to cheer and wear adidas. Anytime we get the itch, we are of to find Ibromovich. We got heart when we play take you on any day, Oooohle Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole.
Posted by: Keeeper King | May 8, 2007 07:10 AM
Manchester United will murder Chelsea!!! This is our year! GLORY! GLORY! MAN UNITED!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: DAVISUNITED | May 8, 2007 05:41 PM
Keeper, your poetic skills lack. That was horrible. Sorry.
Posted by: giova * * * * | May 8, 2007 06:37 PM
How about this. "Ode to United"
At the beginning of the season,
when everything was even
people didn't think twice,
about united winning thrice
they thought Chelsea would be the team,
to live the English dream
but it was not to be,
for the team named Chelsea
it was United, for who the fans would cheer,
when they won the English premier
but the thrice never happened in this land,
because they ran into an obstacle called Milan
Posted by: giova * * * * | May 8, 2007 06:44 PM
You left out a crooked club from a very crooked Mafia run league named Milan.
Posted by: Dave | May 8, 2007 10:08 PM
And for the third time how the truth hurts', oh how it hurts'.
Posted by: SUNNO))) | May 8, 2007 11:10 PM
That's not just the best awensr. It's the bestest answer!
Posted by: Cheyenne | June 21, 2011 09:20 AM