Despite failing to beat Newcastle in midweek, Manchester United are still six points ahead of their nearest rivals at the top of the standings. With only five matches to go, that lead should see United through to the league title.
Arsenal showed how jittery they’ve become lately, dropping vital points in a 1-1 draw against a patched-up Liverpool side that included three players from the academy before blowing a two-goal advantage to draw 3-3 against Tottenham in the derby on Wednesday.
United have 70 points and boast the best goal difference of the chasing pack, that now also includes Chelsea who pipped the Gunners to the runners-up spot thanks to a 3-1 home win over Birmingham.
Alex Ferguson, having been on the road to the title on so many occasions, will never lose a wink when he is in front and in the straight for home. Arsenal’s chances were there for the taking but the loss of points at home have let them down once more.
Last weekend United suffered a setback as rivals Manchester City saw them off at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final. However, the Red Devils can still do a double this season if they win the domestic league and lift the Champions Cup at Wembley next month.
This afternoon United tackle Everton at Old Trafford. The Mancunians have four players in the PFA team of the season, namely: Van der Sar, Vidic, Nani and Berbatov.
Everton are undefeated in their last seven league matches and their last reverse was at Bolton (0-2) on February 13.
In the first round match at Goodison Park, six goals were shared in a 3-3 (Pienaar, Cahill, Arteta − Fletcher, Vidic, Berbatov) draw.
Vanquished FA Cup semi-finalists Bolton, having lost to Stoke 5-0, take on Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium.
Owen Coyle, manager of Bolton, admitted his side were a shadow of their previous performances this season and simply failed to perform at Wembley.
The Gunners will battle on until mathematically it is over but they have to sharpen their attack. This season, there were 19 occasions when they scored once or nothing in league and cup matches.
Manchester City are over the moon following their rare victory over United. The Blues deserved it all and were finally rewarded for what they produced throughout the campaign. Yet, they still have to win the FA Cup and gain a passport into the continent via the Champions League to close a positive chapter.
City play Blackburn at Ewood Park late Monday. Blackburn are just two points above the drop zone and must strive to conserve a run of nine straight seasons in the Premier League.
Identical 3-1 wins against West Brom and Birmingham kept Chelsea in contention and hoping that Manchester United will slip and drop points in the chase for the title.
This evening, Chelsea will be involved in a London derby against strugglers West Ham at Stamford Bridge. The Hammers are back in the basement on the same points as bottom side Wolves.
Liverpool, meanwhile, continued with their positive showings after earning a draw at Arsenal with the last kick of the match. Kenny Dalglish said he was willing to wait for the end of season to know his future at the club. Yet, rumours are rife around Anfield that he is about to be awarded a new three-year contract.
Liverpool, at home to Birmingham, hope to hold on to goalkeeper Pepe Reina as a host of sides will be chasing his signature next season.
At White Hart Lane, Tottenham entertain West Brom. Gareth Bale was named Player of the Year. The Welsh winger said he was convinced that the Spurs would finish in the top four for another tilt at the Champions League next season.
A Midland derby is the duel between Aston Villa and Stoke.
The latter re-wrote their history books last week with their first FA Cup final appearance after the trimming of Bolton in the semi-finals.
Villa will be without manager Gerard Houllier, who is in hospital for treatment, for a few days. After back-to-back wins at Newcastle and West Ham, the Villans can consider themselves safe in ninth place.
Three matches that concern clubs fighting it out against relegation are − Blackpool-Newcastle, Sunderland-Wigan and Wolves-Fulham.
Blackpool have now suffered five defeats in six outings (the other drawn) and can indeed return to the Championship after only one year in the top flight.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Aston Villa-Stoke City - X
Blackpool-Newcastle - X
Chelsea-West Ham (18:30) - 1
Liverpool-Birmingham - 1
Man. United-Everton (13:45) - 1
Sunderland-Wigan - 1
Tottenham-West Brom - 1
Wolves-Fulham - 1
Tomorrow:
Bolton-Arsenal (17:00) - X
Monday:
Blackburn-Man. City (21:00) - 2
Standings: Man. United 70; Chelsea, Arsenal 64; Man. City 56; Tottenham 54; Liverpool 49; Everton 47; Bolton 43; Newcastle, Aston Villa 40; West Brom 39; Fulham, Stoke, Sunderland, Birmingham 38; Blackburn 35; Wigan 34; Blackpool 33; West Ham, Wolves 32.
The Championship
Cardiff-QPR (13:45) - X
Derby-Burnley - X
Hull-Middlesbrough - 1
Millwall-Preston (18:20) - 1
Portsmouth-Swansea - X
Sheffield Utd-Bristol City - X
Watford-Barnsley - 1
Played yesterday:
Coventry vs Scunthorpe 1-1
Doncaster vs C. Palace 0-0
Leeds vs Reading 0-0
Nottm. Forest vs Leicester 3-2
League One
Brighton-Southampton - X
Bristol Rovers-Charlton - 1
Rochdale-Carlisle - 1
Swindon-Notts County - 1
Walsall-Sheffield Wed. - 1
Yeovil-Bournemouth - 2
Played yesterday:
Brentford vs Colchester 1-1
Dagenham vs Plymouth 0-1
Exeter vs Oldham 2-0
Hartlepool vs Tranmere 1-1
L. Orient vs Peterborough 2-1
MK Dons vs Huddersfield 1-3
League two
Accrington Stanley-Bradford - 1
Aldershot-Burton Albion - 1
Cheltenham-Macclesfield - X
Hereford-Shrewsbury (14:00) - 1
Gillingham-Barnet - X
Oxford Utd-Chesterfield - X
Port Vale-Stockport - 1
Played yesterday:
Bury vs Lincoln 1-0
Crewe vs Morecambe 2-1
Southend vs Stevenage 1-0
Torquay vs Wycombe 0-0
Northampton vs Rotherham 2-2
Hot four: Chelsea, Liverpool, Man. United, Tottenham.