Title decider at Old Trafford

Those who suggested that Arsenal had no chance of beating Manchester United last week were forced to eat their words after the Gunners edged the leaders 1-0 to blow the title race wide open.

This has been the story of the season as the three main contenders for the Premier League crown, Man. United, Chelsea and Arsenal, have had many ups and downs throughout the campaign.

What is certain is that the Red Devils lead the way with three points from Chelsea who they face at home tomorrow in a decisive clash. Both sides have a goal difference of +38.

Arsenal, meanwhile, should not be discounted as there can be more twists and turns in the final weeks.

Title run-in:

Manchester United: Tomorrow, home vs Chelsea; May 14, away vs Blackburn; May 22, home vs Blackpool.

Chelsea: Tomorrow, away vs Manchester United; May 15, home vs Newcastle; May 22, away vs Everton.

Arsenal: Tomorrow, away vs Stoke; May 14, home vs Aston Villa; May 22, away vs Fulham.

After booking a place in the final of the Champions League, United can now focus on domestic matters. Not many had anticipated that the season finale would be so exciting with only three matches to go.

In the first round, Chelsea came from behind to beat United 2-1 (Luiz, Lampard pen. − Rooney) at Stamford Bridge.

While Arsene Wenger backed United to clinch the title, he also claimed that if Chelsea were to win tomorrow, the Gunners would also come into the equation if they see off Stoke away.

Manchester City, engaged in a fight with Tottenham for the fourth Champions League spot, travel to Everton this afternoon.

On Tuesday, the Citizens will play their game in hand, against Tottenham at Eastlands.

Today, the Spurs host Blackpool at White Hart Lane. They have had their fair share of bad luck, although Tottenham have also been hampered by the glaring mistakes of keeper Heu-relho Gomes who fumbled Frank Lampards’s shot in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Wigan, Wolves and West Ham occupy the bottom three places in the classification. The Hammers are last with 32 points, two behind Wolves while Wigan have 35, the same as Blackpool.

Incidentally, the bottom three sides have an identical goal difference of minus 23 while Blackpool are on minus 22.

Precious points

West Ham entertain Blackburn at Upton Park.

Fifth from bottom on 38 points, a positive result for Blackburn at the Hammers’ lair would all but secure salvation for another season.

West Ham manager Avram Grant said his team need seven points from their remaining three games to avoid the drop. Their other two fixtures are at home to Sunderland and Wigan away.

After their draw at Birmingham, Wolves will be involved in another Midlands derby as they take on West Brom at Molineux.

West Brom have been playing well lately and Wolves have not won in their last five games. Yet, the formbook is often thrown out of the window in derbies as players keep running until they drop.

Birmingham go to Newcastle still needing points to avoid getting embroiled in a tussle against relegation.

Wigan, who are not considered as good travellers, take on Aston Villa at Villa Park today.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez refused to blame Hugo Rodallega after a late penalty cost his side a vital win against Everton that would have lifted them out of the red zone.

Meanwhile, Villa manager Gerard Houllier is not planning to walk away from his job.

However, the Frenchman is not expected to return to the bench this season after a health scare last month.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League

Aston Villa-Wigan - X
Bolton-Sunderland - 1
Everton-Man. City - X
Newcastle-Birmingham - X
Tottenham-Blackpool (18:30) - 1
West Ham-Blackburn - 1

Tomorrow:
Man. United-Chelsea (17:10) - X
Stoke City-Arsenal (15:05) - 2
Wolves-West Brom (13:00) - 1

Monday:
Fulham-Liverpool (21:00) - 2

Standings: Manchester United 73; Chelsea 70; Arsenal 67; Man-chester City 62; Liverpool, Totten-ham 55; Everton 48; Bolton 46; Fulham 45; Stoke, West Brom 43; Newcastle, Aston Villa, Sunderland 41; Birmingham 39; Blackburn 38; Blackpool, Wigan 35; Wolves 34; West Ham 32.

The Championship
(kick-off 13:45)

Barnsley-Millwall - 1
Bristol City-Hull City - 1
Burnley-Cardiff - X
Crystal Palace-Nottm. Forest - 2
Leicester-Ipswich - 1
Middlesbrough-Doncaster - 1
Norwich City-Coventry - 1
Preston-Watford - X
QPR-Leeds United - 1
Reading-Derby County - 1
Scunthorpe-Portsmouth - X
Swansea-Sheffield United - 1

League One
Bournemouth-Rochdale - 1
Carlisle-Yeovil - 1
Charlton-Hartlepool - 1
Colchester-Bristol Rovers - 1
Huddersfield-Brentford - 1
Notts County-Brighton - X
Oldham-MK Dons - X
Peterborough-Dagenham - 1
Plymouth-Leyton Orient - X
Sheff. Wed.-Exeter - 1
Southampton-Walsall - 1
Tranmere-Swindon - 1

League Two

Barnet-Port Vale - 1
Bradford-Crewe - X
Burton Albion-Acc. Stanley - X
Chesterfield-Gillingham - 1
Lincoln City-Aldershot - 1
Macclesfield-Hereford - 1
Morecambe-Northampton - X
Rotherham-Torquay - X
Shrewsbury-Oxford United - 1
Stevenage-Bury - 1
Stockport-Cheltenham - X
Wycombe-Southend - 1

Hot Four
Bolton, West Ham, Tottenham, Norwich.