Henry fears title KO

Newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year, Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, has conceded the destination of the Barclaycard Premiership title is in Manchester United’s hands.

The balance of power tilted United’s way after they won 2-0 at Tottenham thanks to goals from two other nominees shortlisted for the Professional Footballers’ Association award - Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

That victory capitalised on the Gunners’ slip-up at Bolton, where they had led by two goals before drawing 2-2 on Saturday.

United could move eight points clear if they defeat Charlton at Old Trafford next Saturday, with Arsenal set to lose their crown if they then do not beat Leeds at Highbury the following day.

Henry, who beat off competition from the United duo and strikers James Beattie (Southampton), Alan Shearer (Newcastle) and Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea) to win the vote from his fellow professionals, said: “I don’t know who is going to win the title but it is still on for us.

“The fact that Manchester United won means the balance has swung back in their favour and you have to say it is in their hands now because if they win the remainder of their games they will win the League.

“It is more in their hands, but we still have to carry on and try to do something about it.”

United travel to Everton on the last day of the season, while after the visit of Leeds, Arsenal face Southampton at home and relegated Sunderland away, and Henry added: “We are hoping that Everton can do us a favour against them.”

Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas collected the PFA Young Player of the Year award at the dinner in London last night.

Henry, 25, said: “When I was in France I won the Young Player of the Year award there which is also voted by the players but maybe I didn’t stay there long enough to win their main award. I was 19 at the time.

“I don’t know if I’m in the best form of my life, I just try to do my best on the pitch.”

The 34-goal striker added: “What has been important for me this season is not just how many goals I’ve scored, but how many I have set up. For me that’s really important because it’s something that is part of my game.

“I know that goalscorers get judged at the end of the season by how many they score but if you can set up some as well then it is good for the team and I think I’ve had a bit of both this season. I am happy doing either.

“As long as the team does well I am happy and I always try to do my best. Winning is the most important thing no matter who scores.”

Van Nistelrooy’s strike at White Hart Lane was his 40th goal of the season, and Henry conceded:

“There were some great names on the shortlist and some equally good ones who didn’t make it but that’s because there are so many great players in the English League and that is why I am so happy to win this. It means a lot when the players vote for you.”

Jenas has become a mainstay in the Newcastle midfield as Sir Bobby Robson’s men bid to qualify for the Champions League for the second consecutive season.

He fought off competition from Everton’s teen prodigy Wayne Rooney, Newcastle team-mate and last year’s winner Craig Bellamy, West Ham striker Jermain Defoe, Manchester United defender John O’Shea and Charlton midfielder Scott Parker to land the prestigious prize.

The 20-year-old, who cost Newcastle £5million when they bought him from Nottingham Forest 15 months ago, made his England debut against Australia in February and admitted: “I’m a bit surprised at how quickly everything has happened for me.

“When Sir Bobby signed me he said I was one for the future but I got chucked in because of a few injuries and I managed to prove myself and I’m delighted. He put his trust in me for the big games and I showed him I could handle it.

“It has all been brilliant. Obviously I have got certain goals that I still want to achieve and making my England debut has capped off a great season for me.”

Jenas added: “Winning this award is the highlight of my season, it’s the biggest achievement I’ve had in my career so far.

“My England debut was special but I hope there’s going to be a lot more of them (caps), whereas this award comes from your fellow professionals. They judge you on your season’s performance and footballers know other footballers and that’s a special feeling.”

He warned: “Newcastle can be genuine title contenders next season. We have some great players and we’ve got Champions League experience under our belts now. We had a few slips this season but now we know what we have to do and when it comes round again hopefully we won’t make those slip-ups.

“My aim now is just to keep going and enjoy my football, keep probing away and try to cement my place in the Newcastle team and see what happens from there.

“I’d be delighted if Forest came up, I’d love to go back to the City Ground and play against my old team.”