Premiership Title Race

Both Manchester United and Chelsea won at home in the Premiership over the past weekend. The two heavyweights of the division look set to battle for the title right up until the final weekend of the season with only a 6 point gap currently separating the sides. Chelsea defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 at Stamford Bridge with Didier Drogba starring in a hard fought victory. Manchester United accounted for Charlton at Old Trafford with goals from Park Ji Sung and Darren Fletcher. Despite the lop-sided score lines, neither United nor Chelsea had it easy and were made to work hard for their three points by impressive displays from both Charlton and Boro.

The wins mark both Ferguson and Mourinho’s men as deserving title candidates this year. Winning ugly is the hallmark of any true champion but winning while not playing to your optimum is imperative if you are to have any hope of laying claim to the Premiership. Whilst United have had a relatively injury free season, Chelsea have had to rely on their other squad players to keep them within touching distance of United.

Back to back Premiership titles have hardened Chelsea and even without their talisman at centre back John Terry and goalkeeper Peter Cech for much of this season, they have managed to stay in the title hunt. The English press go on about Frank Lampard and Joe Cole but it is only now the true value of the likes of Essien, Ferreira and even Wayne Bridge are being displayed as a result of the Chelsea injury-list.

Man United have been lucky with an abnormally low injury count this season. The stability the team has enjoyed is reflected in their recent run of results. Ferdinand and Vidic have developed a tough centre back pairing in recent months. Scholes and Carrick have been at the hub of all United's best performances in the centre of the park. Up front, Rooney has dove-tailed nicely with both Larsson and Ronaldo to the point where Alex Ferguson has had the luxury of affording his mercurial winger a week off in Dubai recently.

There are surely more twists and turns to come before this season's Premiership is finally decided. Chelsea have their top players back and are sure to make a late surge but the safe bet for now is for the 06/07 title going back to Old Trafford.