Man United win third consecutive league title

Manchester United captured their 18th English league title yesterday when they secured the point they needed in a nervy 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal.

It was a cautious display by United, who endured some anxious moments late on before the final whistle sealed a hat-trick of titles and moved them alongside Liverpool as the teams with most English league crowns.

Arsenal, who will finish a distant fourth, enjoyed plenty of possession and came agonisingly close to silencing Old Trafford when captain Cesc Fabregas struck a shot against the outside of Edwin van der Sar's post with seven minutes remaining.

United hung on, however, moving to 87 points with one game remaining to end the formidable challenge of Liverpool whose title drought stretches back to 1990. Liverpool, who visit relegation fighters West Bromwich Albion today, have 80.

"That was the longest 90 minutes in history," said United manager Alex Ferguson, who has won 11 league title in 22 years at the club and is already setting his sights on claiming another one next season.

"It will be even more special when we get in front of them (Liverpool). We are a young team and next season we'll go for it again. This is a great side, a great squad, I could have picked two teams today," he told Sky Sports.

Liverpool could finish second with 86 points, the highest total not to win the Premier League, and Ferguson said Rafael Benitez's side had been tough to keep at bay.

"They beat us 4-1 at home, which was a travesty of a result, but they got great impetus from that. That gave them the scent and they took the scent and credit to them because they've battled all the way."

The Scot can now rest players for next weekend's finale at Hull City in preparation for the clash against Barcelona in Rome on May 27 when United can add the Champions League to the League Cup and FIFA's Club World Cup they won in Japan.

That will be a huge comfort to Hull who drew 1-1 at Bolton Wanderers yesterday to climb out of the bottom three with one match remaining at the expense of Newcastle United who slumped to a 1-0 home defeat by Fulham.

Middlesbrough could only draw 1-1 at home to Aston Villa, a result that virtually doomed them to relegation as they are three points behind Hull with an inferior goal difference.

Everton moved into fifth place with a 3-1 defeat of West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester City 2-1 and Stoke City defeated Wigan Athletic 2-0.

Title wins

18 - Liverpool, Man. United

13 - Arsenal

9 - Everton

7 - Aston Villa

6 - Sunderland

4 - Newcastle, Sheffield Wed.

3 - Chelsea, Leeds, Wolves, Huddersfield, Blackburn

2 - Derby, Preston, Tottenham, Man. City, Burnley, Portsmouth

1 - Sheff. United, Nottm Forest, Ipswich, West Brom