NEWCASTLE: Goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda ensured that Chelsea remain in the title race with Manchester United leading into the final weekend.
A slip up from Manchester United and a Chelsea win would result in the two teams swapping places and Chelsea being named champion against all odds.
Chelsea will play Bolton at Stanford Bridge and Manchester United will play Wigan away on May 11th, 2008.
MANCHESTER: After two quick Cristiano Ronaldo goals, Manchester United was able to rather easily dismantle West Ham 4-1. Manchester United is now only three points away from winning the Premiership title.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the game when he dribbled past two of the West Ham defenders and then fired a shot that ended the bottom corner after a slight deflection. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 30th goal of the Premiership season after Owen Hargreaves crossed the ball to the far post where Ronaldo coolly put it in the back of the net.
Only a few minutes later Carlos Tevez was able to score a fantastic goal. The Argentine striker controlled the ball about 30 meters out and fired a bullet that left the goalkeeper helpless.
Things started to turn for West Ham in the 28th minute when Dean Ashton biked the ball into the back of the net. This fantastic goal was not the only problem for United, because ten minutes later Nani was sent off for head butting a West Ham player.
Manchester United’s composure was undeniable. After 15 minutes in the second half, Michael Carrick was gifted with a goal after a shot from distance was deflected, leaving the goal keeper stranded.
Chelsea was not active today and will play their match against Newcastle on May 5th. If Newcastle can defeat Chelsea, then United would be named the champion on Monday.
Manchester United will play its last Premiership game on May 11th away at Wigan.
After defeating Liverpool, Chelsea will be the team to face Manchester United in the Champions League final.
The two teams who are battling for the Premiership trophy will now face each other for the most prestigious title in European club football. Chelsea was able to beat Liverpool in extra-time thanks to goals by Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
The final will be held in Moscow Russia on May 21st, 2008.
Cristiano Ronaldo been voted footballer of the year by English Football Writers’ Association, completing a double after earning the PFA award from his peers last week.
The super season from Cristiano Ronaldo had him scoring 38 goals in all competition so far and assisting 7 more goals. The 38 goals scored is 15 more than he scored all of last season in which he won the same two awards.
This year Cristiano Ronaldo comfortably beat out the competition from Fernando Torres and David James who finished second and third respectively.
This is the second straight season that Cristiano Ronaldo has received both of English football’s most prestigious individual awards.
MANCHESTER: A Paul Scholes wonder goal was enough to put Manchester United into the Champions League final. With Wayne Rooney injured and unable to play, Cristiano Ronaldo had to fill in at striker.
Barcelona looked dangerous a few times in the first half. Dazzling runs from Lionel Messi caused a few problems but the United defense was always up to the task. Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to find his form throughout the match. He looked frustrated throughout and was not able to catch his rhythm.
Against the run of play, the Barcelona defense was unable to clear a ball on which Paul Scholes pounced and smashed a curling shot into the top right corner of the goal. Victor Valdez never stood a chance in stopping the wonderful shot.
The rest of the match was suspenseful because one goal would put Barcelona into the final. Thierry Henry entered the match during the second half but was rather disappointing. Frank Rijkaard hoped that Henry’s familiarity with Manchester United would give him an edge, but to his disappointed the Manchester United defense was able to handle Henry rather easily.
Manchester United will play the winner of the Chelsea/Liverpool tie in the final which will be played in Moscow, Russia on May 21st.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the second straight year.
The young Portuguese star, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, has beaten out Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and David James for the award. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was voted as Young Player of the Year.
“I feel very happy. When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honor, a pleasure.” Cristiano Ronaldo said.
LONDON: Two critical goals by Michael Ballack have put Manchester United and Chelsea on even points. United still holds the first spot with a goal differential advantage.
A questionable decision by Alex Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for this match in order for him to be fully fit for the upcoming Champions League tie with Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Michael Ballack put Chelsea in front after he superbly headed home a cross from Didier Drogba just before half-time. United responded positively after half-time and were even after a gifted Wayne Rooney goal. Ricardo Carvalho played a lazy backpass to Petr Cech that Wayne Rooney intercepted and finished with class.
However, it was not meant to be for Manchester United on this day. With less than five minutes to go, a dubious handball call on Michael Carrick put Michael Ballack on the penalty spot. The German coolly smashed to ball into the back of the net and that put an end to the match.
United’s next fixture is the second leg against Barcelona at Old Trafford.
BARCELONA: United had what seemed like a dream start. Within the first minute, Manchester United was awarded a penalty when a Barcelona defender was deemed to have handled the ball in the area. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and the unthinkable happened. The penalty kick sailed high and wide of the goal after the Barcelona keeper was well beaten.
LANCASHIRE: A crucial last minute Carlos Tevez goal allowed United to take a critical point in today’s encounter with Blackburn. After Roque Santa Cruz put Blackburn in the lead, things started looking bleak for United.
Confusion in the box from Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand allowed to ball to pop loose in the path of Roque Santa Cruz who calmly side-footed the ball into the back of the net. The goal sent Blackburn fans into ruptures.
It took United 88 minutes to draw level. Manchester United served in a corner which Paul Scholes managed to flick on where Carlos Tevez took it and smashed it into the back of the net. What a critical goal that could prove to be with United traveling to Stamford Bridge next Saturday to face Chelsea.
Manchester United will now travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday to face Chelsea. United currently has a three point lead and a much superior goal advantage. Therefore, even a loss will leave United at the top of the league. The title remains United’s to lose.
MANCHESTER: After a first half setback, Manchester United was able to fight back and end any championship aspirations Arsenal may have had. Cristiano Ronaldo was once again on the scoresheet for Manchester United with his 28th goal of the season.
Arsenal put United into a hole just before half time when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a header. Some blame could be put on Edwin van der Sar for not taking control of his area and letting Adebayor head the ball in freely.
In the second half Manchester United were given a penalty when William Gallas handled the ball in the area. Cristiano Ronaldo then stepped up to the spot and took his first penalty kick and buried it into the back of the net. However, since Ronaldo stopped during his run up, some Arsenal players entered the area and he was forced to retake the penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up once again and this time put it in the bottom left corner perfectly where Jens Lehmann had no chance of reaching it.
The games was tied until the 72nd minute when United was handed a freekick. While the whole Arsenal team was expecting one of Ronaldo’s patented freekicks, Owen Hargreaves struck a dipping shot right over the wall into the bottom left corner of the net. Jens Lehmann was once again left helpless.
With the victory, United are now 9 points above Arsenal and 5 points above Chelsea after their slip up against Wigan.