Even if the bookmakers haven’t settled our bet yet.  Even if the league tables don’t have a ‘C’ next to Manchester United. And even if the trophy hasn’t been raised yet, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won the Premier League this afternoon with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford.

It took just 36 seconds for Manchester United to open the scoring when Javier Hernandez latched onto Park Ji Sung’s through ball and tucked away his one-on-one.

Manchester United were on top for the opening 15 minutes but failed to add a second before Chelsea got a foothold in the game. Saloman Kalou had two great opportunities, but a tame shot at Edwin van der Sar and connecting poorly with a header saw the Dutch goalkeeper deny Chelsea becoming the first opponent to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season.

Half way through the first half, Nemanja Vidic headed home a Ryan Giggs cross after a move from a corner. Manchester United were cruising at this stage. Wayne Rooney would pick up a yellow card before half time and Jonny Evans was brought on for John O’Shea for the start of the second half.

Chelsea’s half time change in a desperate attempt to get back in the title race saw Alex replace the yellow-carded David Luiz and Ramires come on for the ineffectual Jon Obi Mikel.

Alex would end up with a clean sheet to his name as Manchester United failed to score in the second half. Frank Lampard poking home a goal in three successive games in the 68th minute gave Chelsea a lifeline, but Manchester United were never in doubt of losing the game.

Park Ji Sung had a fantastic first half, including the opening assist, as well as stringing a number of good passes together and breaking up Chelsea attacks on a number of occasions. Ryan Giggs’ performance was noted too, throughout the game playing a number of splendid passes. Wayne Rooney wasted good positions to get shots in towards the end of the game, whilst an effort was brilliantly blocked on the line by Alex shortly after Chelsea had scored.

Fernando Torres fired a shot wide, but Edwin van der Sar wasn’t tested in the second half having been forced into five first half saves.

This victory gives Manchester United a 6 point lead with two games remaining; visiting Blackburn next weekend where they will lift the trophy should they avoid defeat before hosting Blackpool on the final game of the season. Perhaps Ian Holloway’s side will be pleased with this result after they dropped into the relegation zone today following Wolves’ victory over West Brom. Blackpool may need something in that final game of the season to avoid relegation, and will head into that game with West Brom being the only visiting side to come away from Old Trafford with a point this season.

Title number 19 for Manchester United means they are now the most successful English side in league history, overtaking Liverpool’s 18. The Merseyside club never thought this would happen less than 20 years ago. Sir Alex Ferguson will collect his 12th Premier League medal next weekend.

A superb display for Wolverhampton Wanderers at lunch time today saw them climb out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 victory over rivals West Brom.

Steven Fletcher opened the scoring for the home side on 15 minutes after poor defending by West Brom from a corner. Less than 15 minutes later history would repeat itself as Adlene Guedioura too would score from a corner. His first Premier League goal of the season.

When Steven Fletcher made it 3-0 shortly after half time, Wolves looked home and dry. A few nerves appeared when Peter Odemwingie converted a penalty won by Jerome Thomas in the 55th minute. The Nigerian was recently named the Barclay’s Premier League player of the month for the second time this season, joining an elite list of players; Robbie Fowler, Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ashley Young to win the award twice in the same season.

A few more performances like today’s from Wolves would have seen them pick up a few more points than they have done so far this season; currently 1 point above Blackpool who sit in 18th place.

Steven Fletcher’s brace puts him on 9 for the season, tying him with Kevin Doyle’s tally for last season as Wolves’ joint-top single season Premier League top goalscorer. Wolves travel to Sunderland next weekend before finishing the season at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Mick McCarthy attempted to bring in some humour during his post-match interview with some sarcastic comments as he said his Wolves side had nothing to worry about in regards to relegation.

West Brom have been safe for a couple of weeks now, sitting in 13th position.  This was only Roy Hodgson’s second defeat during his 10-game reign in charge of the Baggies.

Bottom of the table West Ham are now 4 points from safety.

8 days on from giving his best efforts in their 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League semi final tie with Manchester United, Schalke 04′s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will step foot inside Old Trafford for the first time this evening.

The German number 1 has been on Sir Alex Ferguson’s shopping list for some time, and last week he went out of his way after the final whistle to have a word with the heroic goalkeeper, presumably in an attempt to help persuade him to sign a goalkeeper with England’s biggest club in the summer.

Neuer’s performance at the Veltins-Arena last Tuesday were reminiscent of a one Peter Schmeichel; starfish saves and all.

The man who took the honours of representing Germany in goal in the summer, following the suicide of Robert Enke and an injury to Rene Adler, did not disappoint. His performances during the summer increased his value, despite having a goal scored against him by Matthew Upson.

This summer Neuer will almost-certainly change clubs, moving away from the team he has been at since he was 5. He has declared that he will not be extending his contract, with his current one due to expire at the end of next season. Schalke 04 will be looking to cash in on their shot stopper, with Bayern Munich the favourites. Munich have kept a tag on Neuer for a few seasons now.

The most-oft winning Bundesliga side have yet to find a long-term replacement for Oliver Kahn since the 2002 World Cup Golden Ball winner lay down his gloves in 2008. Michael Rensing, Hans-Jorg Butt and Thomas Kraft have all been tested, but it appears Manuel Neuer is the long-term solution, despite the hatred between the two sets of supporters.

Neuer is a great shot stopper, who uses both his arms and legs to shot stops, whichever he feels most appropriate (and not the Iker Casillas scared-to-take-a-shot-in-face use of the legs). I once recall him saving a long-range free kick by hoofing the ball away on the half volley as it bounced up in front of him.

The Schalke 04 goalkeeper has made costly mistakes in the past, but in recent seasons he has come good with a number of match-winning performances. His 10 goals against in 11 Champions League games this season may read bad He has good accuracy when throwing the ball out too, and a lengthy throw too, one that will bring back memories of Peter Schmeichel to Manchester United fans.o most onlookers, but this can be explained by the poor defence that plays in front of him. He has been forced into making many saves in this seasons competition, none more evident in their semi final first leg last week.

With Edwin van der Sar’s impending retirement, Manchester United are on the lookout for a replacement goalkeeper. With Tomasz Kuszczak not being talented enough and Sir Alex Ferguson seemingly already having doubts over January signing Anders Lindegaard, Neuer has topped the list of the United manager’s targets.

In the meantime, Manuel Neuer sounds happy to stay in Germany which makes it more-and-more likely that he will reject any potential move to Manchester United in favour of joining the 1999 Champions League runners up Bayern Munich instead. The Bavarian club currently have a 2 point lead over Hannover 96 with 2 games remaining for the final Champions League spot in Germany.

Yesterday, Bolton Wanderers suffered their 10th defeat in their last 11 Premier League away games as they went down 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers.

Despite their great home record this season that has helped them to 8th position where they currently sit, Bolton are in the bottom three when it comes to teams away records; only Blackburn Rovers and Wolves are worse this season:

Only Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have more points at home than Bolton Wanderers so far this season:

His team have picked up 5 clean sheets at the Reebok Stadium this season, with only Liverpool and Chelsea coming away with 3 points as visitors.  They put 4 past Tottenham and 5 past Newcastle earlier this season, while they have only scored more than 1 goal on the road on two occasions this season.

Going back to his Burnley days, Owen Coyle picked up just 1 point from 11 away games in the Premier League last season. That came in a surprise 3-3 draw at Manchester City, but defeats included a 4-0 thumping at Liverpool (Yossi Benayoun hattrick), 5-0 at Tottenham, 2-0 at Portsmouth, 2-0 at Wolves 3-0 at Fulham and 5-2 at Aston Villa.

Bolton did only lose 1 of their opening 7 Premier League away games this season (4-1 at Arsenal), winning 2 of those (at West Ham and Wolves), with four straight 1-1 draws. Since then, starting with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, it’s all been downhill for Owen Coyle’s side.

7 of their 11 away defeats have come by the odd goal. Liverpool and Tottenham both got stoppage time winners, whilst Dimitar Berbatov’s winner for Manchester United came in the 88th minute. Bolton have one remaining away fixture this season; at Bolton in two weeks time.

Owen Coyle left Burnley in January last season after a victory at Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup 3rd round, while Bolton have won at Wigan, Fulham and Birmingham City in the FA Cup this season, before their 5-0 drubbing at Wembley by Stoke in the FA Cup semi final.

Coyle’s Burnley side were exposed down the middle in their away games last season, while he refused to change his attacking intent despite having inferior players in most of their fixtures last season.

At Bolton, it’s fair to say they don’t have a player who can sit in front of the back four and defend them well. A Robbie Savage-like player who can break up opposition play, and to take pressure off the defence when they’re on the back foot on their travels.

Wanderers defenders are exposed more on their travels, both individually and collectively. They have 0 clean sheets on the road this season, although Coyle did achieve a 0-0 at Wigan last season (last season’s record as Bolton manager away from home: 2W 1D 8L).

Jussi Jaaskelainen is a top keeper, but in front of him stands Paul Robinson, Zat Knight, Gary Cahill and Gretar Steinsson. There’s a lack of pace and in truth, a lack of Premier League quality. Yes, Gary Cahill is highly rated and very talented, but alongside him there is the clumsy Knight, whilst the full backs don’t deal too well with wingers. Robinson gets out run by pacey wingers, although he has cut out his rash, erratic and costly fouls this season. David Wheater may be the long-term replacement for Cahill, should the recent England international be sold in the summer as expected, but the ex-Middlesbrough player gets exposed for his lack of pace too.

Bolton Wanderers also like to play an attacking formation, home and away under their Scottish manager. Prior to Daniel Sturridge’s injury against Arsenal, he and Kevin Davies were partnering up front, with forward Johan Elmander being stuck out on the right wing.

Yesterday, Bolton Wanderers became the third Premier League team Steve Kean has recorded a victory over since his career began on December 13th 2010 (the day after Sam Allardyce was sacked following defeat at the Reebok Stadium). Kean has two victories over West Brom and a victory over Liverpool in his 18 Premier League games as manager.

Two mistakes from the officials yesterday followed up by Arsenal’s victory today have surprisingly brought Chelsea back into the Premier League title race.

After Sandro’s fantastic right-footed half volley gave Tottenham the lead against the run of play yesterday, his goal was cancelled out by Frank Lampard controversial equaliser on the stroke of half time.

Harry Redknapp’s best quote from yesterday’s post-game interview was:

“We can put a man on the moon but we can’t decide if a ball crossed the line – it’s beyond belief.”

Of course, the whole controversy could have been avoided if Gomes had have caught Frank Lampard’s straightforward shot and not let it slip through his hands. That’s no excuse for the referee and his assistant to give the goal however.

What goes around comes around I guess, as it was Frank Lampard who had a perfectly clear goal disallowed in the World Cup versus Germany in the summer when the ball was clearly over the line.

Salomon Kalou went on to score Chelsea’s winner in the final moments of the game, despite being in an offside position. Tottenham fans were the given the right to feel robbed yesterday.

Carlo Ancelotti had the cheek to say his team got “lucky” in victory yesterday, but it was his tactical decision to bring Kalou on for Fernando Torres at half time, with the Ivorian coming on to grab the winning goal.

Today, Arsenal played a good possession game in victory over Manchester United today. Aaron Ramsey, replacing the absent Cesc Fabregas stroked home the winner.

Both Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott had good chances early on at 0-0. Nemanja Vidic was lucky not to concede a penalty for a handball in the area; taking the ball away from Robin van Persie.

Arsenal deserved the three points against an under performing Manchester United side. Despite United’s efforts for an equaliser late on, other than a penalty shout when Michael Owen was tripped inside the area, they failed to really test Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. Champions League hangover?

With 3 games remaining, Manchester United host Chelsea next weekend in which will be billed as the title decider. United currently lead the defending champions by 3 points, both sides with a goal difference of +38. This game comes after Manchester United’s Champions League semi final second leg at home to Schalke 04 on Wednesday.

Chelsea finish the season at home to Newcastle and away to Everton, while Manchester United go to Blackburn on FA Cup final day and then host Blackpool on the final game of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti has remained positive throughout, not ruling his side out of the title race.