Derby win could seal Premiership

Manchester United are on the verge of regaining the Premiership title after two seasons of domination by Chelsea.

The top two teams are due to meet a week on Wednesday but it could all be over by then with United’s 4-2 comeback victory over Everton and Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bolton extending the Red Devils’ lead at the top to five points.

Victory in the Manchester derby at Eastlands on Saturday would leave Chelsea needing to win at Arsenal 24 hours later to prevent United taking the crown.

When Wes Brown told John O’Shea – whose goal marked the start of an amazing United recovery on Saturday – that the team were on the verge of seizing control in the title battle, the Irishman thought it was a wind-up.

“When we got the fourth, Wes turned to me and said Chelsea were drawing with Bolton,” laughed O’Shea.

“I honestly thought he was winding me up.

“At the time, you are not concerned about it but when the result was confirmed in the dressing room afterwards, it did give us a little extra boost.”

Rafael Benitez is hoping to put another big hole in Chelsea’s season at Anfield in the Champions League tomorrow.

The Liverpool boss rested seven of the players who started the 1-0 first leg defeat in the European semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

They made the trek to Portsmouth without the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch and Jose Reina and suffered a 2-1 defeat.

Benitez said: “I don’t know how they [Chelsea] are thinking or if they are scared that they will be under pressure.

“But we will try to do the things we did before when we beat them 2-0 in January and that should certainly put them under pressure.”

While the battle at the top looks a lot more clear-cut, it is still tight down at the foot of the table.

Sheffield United did themselves a power of good by beating relegated Watford 1-0, though manager Neil Warnock admits the possibility of joining the Hornets in the Coca-Cola Championship has not been averted yet.

The last time United were relegated from the Premiership was on the final day of the 1993-94 campaign at Stamford Bridge when two late goals from Chelsea striker Mark Stein inflicted a 3-2 defeat which, combined with results elsewhere, sent them down.

Warnock, having guided the Blades back into the top flight last season, is determined to avoid a repeat performance.

“You only have to look at the last time Sheffield United were relegated to know nothing is ever safe in this world,” he admitted.

“We don’t want another Chelsea game like that.”

West Ham overcame fellow strugglers Wigan 3-0 while Charlton slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Blackburn.

Alan Pardew believes there are still “twists and turns” to come despite his Charlton side’s disheartening defeat, while Wigan remain deep in trouble after their loss to the Hammers, one which Latics boss Paul Jewell felt the Londoners merited.

“They fully deserved the win, no bones about it, and right now we are struggling,” he said.

“We’re quickly running out of games, but the amazing thing about it is that it’s still in our own hands.”

Tottenham are still in sight of a UEFA Cup place after a fine 3-2 victory against Middlesbrough, while Aston Villa maintained their recent improvement by beating Manchester City 2-0.