Due to their vastly superior goal difference United knew that a win today would be enough to see them crowned champions for the second time in two seasons and a first half penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo was followed up by a late Ryan Giggs strike to take the trophy back to Old Trafford.

Title-rivals Chelsea took the lead at home to Bolton through forgotten man Andrei Shevchenko but the mood at Stamford Bridge quietened significantly after the news of United’s second goal got through to the players.

And in the final minute, Matthew Taylor made the most of a slip-up by Brazilian defender Alex to earn Wanderers a share of the spoils.

In the relegation battle at the other end of the table, Fulham completed the unlikeliest of escapes with a 1-0 victory away to FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.

Danny Murphy celebrates his priceless goal

With the game seemingly heading for a stalemate, and relegation for the Cottagers, Danny Murphy headed home 14 minutes from time to ensure Fulham will be playing in the top flight next year.

Relegation rivals Reading and Birmingham did all they could to survive but Fulham’s result made their victories irrelevant.

Reading smashed Derby 4-0 at Pride Park while Birmingham also hit four in a 4-1 demolition of Blackburn Rovers but both sides will be joining the Rams in the Championship next season.

Everton won the battle for a UEFA cup place as they ran out easy 3-1 winners over Newcastle. Yakubu netted twice and Joleon Lescott got the other as the Magpies were brushed aside at Goodison.

Aston Villa will have to settle for a place in the Intertoto Cup after they only managed a 2-2 draw at West Ham, although Everton’s result made theirs irrelevant.  

Perhaps the most surprising scoreline of the day came from the Riverside stadium. In what could well be his last game in charge of the club, Man City boss Sven Goran Erikkson saw his side thrashed 8-1. Brazilian Afonso Alves netted a hat-trick after City had captain Richard Dunne sent off on 15 minutes. 

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