MAN U DO IT AGAIN!

Manchester United are English football champions. They won their 17th title with a victory over 14th-placed Wigan on the final day of the season. Manchester United and Chelsea were equal on points before the final matches of the Premier League season, but United had the advantage of superior goal difference. A United win by any margin in their away game against Wigan would be enough, regardless of the outcome of Chelsea's encounter with Bolton at Stamford Bridge. From the first minutes it was Manchester United that had the advantage though not a convincing one for the future champions. They were helped by a foul in the penalty area by Wigan's Emerson Boyce for which the referee awarded a penalty. Ronaldo struck his 31st Premier League goal of the season to make the score 1-0. United were more convincing in the second half, when they controlled the game, keeping the ball for long periods, and threatened Wigan's goal several times. Ten minutes before the end of the game the experienced Ryan Giggs scored the winning goal. Giggs was making a Premier League record 758th appearance for Manchester United, equalling Bobby Charlton's record for the number of matches played for the club. 

Chelsea's game against Bolton was more interesting and competitive. From the very start Abramovich's team dominated on the pitch and had territorial advantage. In the first 10 minutes Chelsea had three dangerous shots and counterattacked skilfully. Chelsea missed from an excellent position in the seventh minute - Drogba had only to put the ball into the back of the net. Ballack came close with a free kick in the 20th minute. Andriy Shevchenko came on in the second half and did what he rarely does, bolstered Chelsea's game. He scored in the 62nd minute. In a prolonged attack Essien made a cutting pass but Alex failed to collect the ball; the attack did not end there as the ball bounced to Shevchenko who fired accurately into the corner unprotected by Bolton keeper Al Habsi. In the first half Chelsea had six shots to Bolton's one, but Bolton scored with their second shot on goal in the 92nd minute. It was all the result of mistakes by Alex. He committed a triple error, first hitting the ball straight to Matthew Taylor, then letting the ball through his legs and, finally, obstructing Chelsea keeper Petr Cech's view. 

It was clear from the start of the game that Chelsea were up for a fight, but no more. The team seem to have decided to keep something in reserve for the Champions' League Final. Manchester United were worthy winners of the Premier League. Chelsea were improving with every game but it was not enough for the championship. Many matches did not end the way the Chelsea supporters wanted, although Chelsea lost only three times. They needed fewer draws - Chelsea drew 10 times while Manchester United drew six. Nevertheless, it is not a bad result for manager Avram Grant who was declared the best manager in the current season. Under Grant the team has played attacking football, the kind of football that pleases the fans and has taken the London club to their first European final. 

The new champions proved their mettle. They played a good season, ending it on the right note. They showed that they can maintain their fitness for a whole season and play attacking, thoughtful football. It is interesting that the champions suffered five defeats while second-placed Chelsea suffered only three, all away from home. London club Arsenal, who had topped the table for a long time playing exciting football, came third. Liverpool came fourth again. The high-quality, attractive football of these four teams is the calling card of the Premier League whose matches have always attracted high viewing figures in Azerbaijan. It is wholly appropriate that three of the four clubs reached the semi-finals of the Champions' League. It's not only the fans and viewers that are the winners, as the image and prestige of English football has reached its highest level.

The most interesting is yet to come when Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Champions' League Final in Moscow on 21 May. Chelsea manager Avram Grant suffered his first defeat against Manchester United. True, Chelsea managed to get their revenge in the return game 2-1. The interest and the stakes in the game are very high: either Manchester United win a double of Premier League and Champions' League or Chelsea become European champions for the first time in their history. There's not long to wait and no escape - Moscow awaits!