United Step Towards Premier League Title
14th April, 2008
Manchester United are “two wins away” from becoming Premier League champions after a cruicial 2-1 victory over Arsenal.
The defeat for the London side has put them out of the title race, after poor form in recent months saw them fall from odd-on favourites down to third. The result is also bad news for Chelsea, who would have been in control of their own fate had Arsenal got a result. There is now no option but to beat United when they travel to Stamford Bridge in two games’ time.
Arsenal dominated the game and should have made the chances count in the first half, eventually taking the lead at the start of the second half through Adebayor, who may have used his arm to bundle the ball over the line.
Just five minutes later, United were given a way back into the game as Gallas was ajudged to have handled the ball in the area. Ronaldo tucked the penalty away to make it 1-1. Spirits raised, the home side looked the more likely to get the winning goal as Arsenal grew tired. It did not stop them making the chances, with a combination of the woodwork and good goalkeeping stopped Arsenal getting their result. It was Manchester United who grabbed the all-important goal, as Hargreaves flighted an exquisite freekick over the wall and past a stranded Jens Lehmann on 72 minutes to finish the game off.
Wenger admitted that Arsenal will no longer be a challenge for the title this season, now sitting nine points behind the leaders and current champions. Chelsea play Wigan this evening, knowing that a win is the only acceptable result. According to our odds comparison service, United are as short as 1/7 with Betfred, whilst Chelsea can be grabbed for best odds of 5/1 with Boylesports.
By Chris M
