Title race down to the wire

Chelsea and defending champions Manchester United both won yesterday to take the battle for the English Premier League title to the final day of the season.



The Blues remain in pole position after Steven Gerrard’s astonishing blunder allowed them to take a giant stride towards the crown with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.



Gerrard was left disappointed in the 33rd minute after his attempted back-pass to Reina was seized by Didier Drogba, with the Ivory Coast international rounding goalkeeper Pepe Reina before slotting home.



Chelsea doubled the lead after the interval with Frank Lampard sliding the ball home from close range, after Nicolas Anelka’s low cross from the right.



Liverpool, who had more than matched their opponents until the opener, rarely looked like getting back into the match from that point and saw their faint Champions League hopes finally extinguished.



United kept their nerve at the Stadium of Light in the late game, to take the title race to the final day with a 1-0 win over Sunderland.



Chelsea host Wigan on the final day of the campaign next Sunday with a one-point advantage at the summit. United face Stoke at Old Trafford knowing only a win will put pressure on the Blues.



In yesterday’s other game, Fulham’s marvelous season continued with a 3-2 home win over West Ham.