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The Weekend Round-up

Manchester United retained their title after a 2-0 victory over Wigan, although Chelsea’s attempts were in vain as they slipped to a 1-1 draw at home to Bolton despite leading. Wigan were denied a penalty for handball against Rio Ferdinand, but Emerson Boyce’s trip on Wayne Rooney was awarded by Steve Bennet. 

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to slot home, meanwhile Chelsea were struggling to break down a dogged Bolton side as John Terry was stretchered off with a broken after a collision with Petr Cech and Bolton’s Kevin Davies. The Blues perceivered, under the stewardship of Frank Lampard, and finally broke through when Andiry Shevchenko slotted from six yards. 

The news of a Chelsea goal had the visiting supporters worried up at the JJB, yet they knew goal difference would carry them through as long as they held on. They did more than that, scoring a second goal through wily veteran Ryan Giggs, the Welshman coolly finishing past Chris Kirkland. That game was over as a contest, and Matt Taylor’s equaliser for Bolton mattered little in the context of Chelsea’s title hopes. 

So, United were deservedly crowned champions despite the valiant efforts of Avram Grant’s men, who still have a shot at silverware in their Champions League final clash against their title rivals in a fortnight’s time. Elsewhere in the Premier League, Fulham survived despite Reading and Birmingham both winnings. For long periods it was the Cottagers were destined for the Championship, but a late Danny Murphy header sent Reading plummeting back into the bottom three, in spite of a 4-0 win over Derby. 

Birmingham also won, recording their best result of the season, against Blackburn who they beat 4-1. The home support turned on owners David Gold and Karen Brady, the estranged twosome jeered with chants of ‘Sack the Board’ as Alex McLeish’s men return to the second division a season after promotion. 

In other news, Everton tied up their UEFA Cup spot with a fine 3-1 win over Newcastle, Yakubu notching two and Joleon Lescott scoring the other. Aston Villa could only draw at West Ham, a 2-2 draw ensuring the Hammers finish tenth above Tottenham, who lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool.

England starlet Theo Walcott bagged the winner as Arsenal beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, meanwhile Middlesbrough gave departing Man City manager Sven Goran Eriksson a nice leaving present…a 8-1 thrashing at the Riverside; Richard Dunne saw red, jeopardising the Citizens’ UEFA Cup berth through the Fair Play League, from which Stewart Downing scored from the spot. Afonso Alves bagged a hat-trick around goals from Adam Johnson, Fabio Rochemback and Jeremie Aliadiere to complete the rout, with Elano replying for beleaguered Sven. 

Hull City took a step towards a Wembley final with a 2-0 win over Watford in their Championship play-off semi-final clash; meanwhile Bristol City upset Crystal Palace with a 2-1 win. Joe Hart has been called up to the England squad for the friendlies against the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. David Wheather, Phil Jagielka, Tom Huddlestone and Dean Ashton are the other notable inclusions.�