With the finishing line now in sight the battle for the Premier League title has been whittled down to a two-horse race. Arsenal's stumble at Old Trafford on Sunday has allowed Chelsea and Manchester United to open up a commanding lead, and it looks as though a Stamford Bridge showdown on 26th April could now decide the destiny of the top flight crown. Liverpool would appear to have sewn up fourth spot after they brushed past Blackburn and their nearest challengers, Everton, could only manage a point at struggling Birmingham. But while the picture at the top of the table may be becoming slightly clearer, the dogfight at the bottom continues to provide enthralling entertainment. With hapless Derby's fate already confirmed, Bolton and Fulham did their hopes of beating the drop a world of good with vital victories over West Ham and Reading respectively. Manchester City's slim hopes of securing European football for next season were kept alive with a controversial victory at Sunderland, while elsewhere Tottenham and Middlesbrough and Portsmouth and Newcastle all had to settle for a point apiece.
Arsenal arrived at The Theatre of Dreams full of hopes on Sunday, but left after an epic encounter with their tails firmly between their legs.
Previous heavyweight encounters between the Premier League's big guns have not always lived up top their pre-match billing, but no-one at Old Trafford would have been asking for their money back after an end-to-end game packed with excitement.
The Gunners, aware that they stood on the brink of another trophyless season, took the game to United from the off and could have been cruising at the interval were it not for their inept finishing in front of goal.
They did take the lead shortly after half-time when Emmanuel Adebayor profited from a breakdown in communication among the Red Devils' defence to bundle home with his arm.
However, in much the same manner as they were unable to hold on against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League five days earlier, the Gunners surrendered their lead within minutes.
William Gallas inexplicably handled Michael Carrick's hopeful hook into the box allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to bring the tie level with a coolly dispatched twice-taken penalty.
Both sides then continued to press forward in search of a winner, and it was the hosts who ultimately snatched all three points when Owen Hargreaves curled a sublime 72nd free-kick past a statuesque Jens Lehmann to send Old Trafford into delirium.
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