Man Utd retains Premiership title

12.05.2008

MANCHESTER United on Sunday pipped rival Chelsea to clinch its 17th title triumph with victory at Wigan.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for United from the spot after 33 minutes following Emmerson Boyce’s foul on fit-again Wayne Rooney.

Emile Heskey then wasted Wigan’s best chance with a second-half header.

And substitute Ryan Giggs clinched United’s Premier League triumph - his 10th - with a cool finish from Rooney’s pass 10 minutes from time.

It sent manager Sir Alex Ferguson dancing down the touchline in the rain at the JJB Stadium in triumph.

And the thousands of Manchester United supporters inside the stadium celebrated a second successive title as Giggs lifted the Premier League trophy.

Ferguson will now turn his attentions to winning the Double when United faces Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21.

United ended the season on 87 points, two clear of Chelsea, which drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge with Bolton Wanderers after an injury-time Kevin Davies goal for the visitors cancelled out a scrappy effort by halftime substitute Andriy Shevchenko.

It was United’s 10th Premier League title and 17th championship in all Everton qualified for the UEFA Cup after its 3-1 home victory over Newcastle United, courtesy of goals from Yakubu Aiyegbeni (29th and 81st minutes) and Lescott (70th) secured fifth place.

Birmingham City and Reading joined Derby County in being relegated after Fulham won 1-0 at Portsmouth to complete an unlikely escape.