Gilberto's United Silva
lining
Manchester United are the new Premiership champions following
Chelsea's inability to beat Arsenal, in a 1-1 draw at Emirates
Stadium which hands Sir Alex Ferguson's side their first title in
four years.
A Gilberto Silva penalty three minutes before half-time was enough
to crown United as champions, in an incident that champions, in an
incident that saw Khalid Boulahrouz leave the field for a
professional foul and with the defender's departure, went Chelsea's
dream of a third successive title.
With 20 minutes remaining Michael Essien gave Chelsea hope when he
flung himself to divert Shaun Wright-Phillip's devilish delivery
beyond Jens Lehmann, but at the final whistle, his efforts proved
in vain.
Showing characteristic vigour and fight Jose Mourinho's men could
have kept the title race alive as Joe Cole had a goal disallowed,
Essien fired over from close range and Frank Lampard had a long
distance drive repelled but it was not to be, as celebrations
started early in Manchester, as Wednesday's top of the table clash
was rendered redundant.
In the early hours of Sunday morning over in far-flung Las Vegas
the cocksure Floyd Mayweather was celebrating taking the title off
the old champ Oscar De La Hoya but into the afternoon, in London,
it was the polar opposite as the veteran master Ferguson was left
to celebrate and the younger Mourinho to reflect on being usurped
as the Premiership's king.
Chelsea's line-up saw injury, or as the sceptic would suggest,
defeatism rob them of both Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba and
without their attacking talisman, the champions were shorn of a
goal threat for much of the afternoon.
The opening sparring simmered rather than shone as Arsenal's narrow
midfield competed manfully but failed to cause Chelsea undue
concern.
There is of course no love lost between these capital neighbours
following their Carling Cup final spat and so it was no surprise
that the tackles were fierce and the pervading mood was one of
disdain, in a first 45 minutes devoid of clear-cut chances, prior
to Gilberto's penalty.
It was the languid Emmanuel Adebayor that looked the most likely
for the home side but his robust forays were dealt with without
fuss by an authoritative John Terry, while at the other end,
Chelsea lacked punch without Drogba.
A full thirty minutes had elapsed before Chelsea caused
consternation to Arsenal's backline, as Cole found space on the
left edge of the home side's box but his lashed ball across just
evaded the advanced Lampard.
As if spurred by Chelsea's impertinence at fortress Emirates,
Arsenal moved the ball upfield and after Abou Diaby and Cesc
Fabregas exchanged clever passes, Denilson's beautifully disguised
and weighted through ball gave Adebayor a great chance but the
striker's effort was meek rather than mighty.
Their next effort was, though, more decisive as Boulahrouz showed
perhaps why he has been used so sparingly this season. Lehmann's
long punt upfield evaded John Terry and after Julio Baptista had
muscled past the dozing defender to gain a sight on goal, the
Dutchman showed all the subtlety of the WWE wrestlers Mourinho so
admires, in hauling down the Brazilian in the box.
Referee Alan Wiley had no choice in sending off Boulharouz,
Gilberto no nerves in dispatching past Petr Cech from the penalty
spot.
Buoyed by their goal Arsenal set out for the second half with
renewed vigour and after a free-kick was only partially cleared,
Adebayor's volley fizzed past Cech's far post, as William Gallas
lunged to convert, albeit to no avail.
In truth, Chelsea looked leg weary from their midweek European
exertions and with the champagne being uncorked in Manchester, it
was Arsenal that looked the more likely to add to the
scoreline.
Gallas will wonder how he failed to convert his header from no more
than five yards, while Adebayor will rue a heavy touch that wasted
Fabregas' sumptuous back-heel into his path.
Chelsea's dominance of English football has, though, been built on
resilience as much as any other quality and Mourinho will be
delighted with his players following Essien's header.
In the final minute a man not normally associated with being a hero
of the United faithful proved just that, as Lehmann tipped over
after Salomon Kalou fired in from the edge of the area, while
Emmanuel Eboue smacked the bar in added time with a stunning strike
on the overlap.
As Arsenal showed why they are still some way off mounting a bid of
their own, Chelsea pressed incessantly but while they will consider
themselves unfortunate, the masses at Old Trafford will care not
one iota as celebrations start in earnest.
