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United on brink of another title

Nemanja Vidic netted Manchester United's second from Ryan Giggs' cross © PA Photos

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Gallery

Manchester United are within a solitary point of what appears certain to be a record 19th league title after a fully deserved 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The victory, secured thanks to goals from Javier Hernandez and Nemanja Vidic, gives Sir Alex Ferguson's side a six-point lead with two games remaining in the Premier League season. Only a minor miracle will now prevent them from securing a fourth league title in five seasons, and surpassing the overall record they currently hold with Liverpool.

Any hopes Chelsea had of taking top spot with a victory were undone as early as 36 seconds into the game when David Luiz failed to cut out a pass from Park Ji-Sung and Javier Hernandez, clinical as ever, beat Petr Cech for the 19th goal of his debut season in England.

United's lead was doubled after 23 minutes when Ryan Giggs, now surely destined to collect his 12th title-winner's medal, found Nemanja Vidic with a cross and the United captain converted with a glancing header.

Chelsea performed horribly in the first half, with Luiz and John Obi Mikel both substituted at half-time, but somehow pulled a goal back on 68 minutes when Frank Lampard poked home a volley following Branislav Ivanovic's knockdown.

But Chelsea were unable to claw their way back into the game and instead the best chances fell to United, with Hernandez unmarked when missing a header, as they closed out the all-important win. United have won 52 of an available 54 points at Old Trafford this season and will win the title with a draw away at Blackburn prior to the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Jermaine Pennant got Stoke's second goal © Getty Images

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Arsenal waved goodbye to any lingering Premier League title ambitions they may have had with a lacklustre 3-1 defeat away at FA Cup finalists Stoke City.

On a day where Aaron Ramsey made his return to the Britannia Stadium, site of his horrible leg break over 12 months ago, Stoke outfought their opponents thanks to goals from Kenwyne Jones. Jermaine Pennant and Jonathan Walters.

Robin van Persie scored the Gunners' solitary effort.

Jones opened the scoring for Tony Pulis' men after 28 minutes, as he evaded the attentions of Johan Djourou to chest home Pennant's free-kick after a silly foul from Andrey Arshavin. Then five minutes before half-time the advantage was doubled - Pennant bursting free into space on the counter-attack, evading any limp attempt at a challenge before seeing his 25-yard shot deflect off Djourou and over Wojciech Szczesny into the net.

Arsenal showed more spirit in the second half, as Arsene Wenger brought on both Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh in an attempt to change the course of the game. But neither could make a decisive impact, as Van Persie - who was denied inside the first five minutes of the most half - seeing perhaps Arsenal's best chance saved by a sprawling Asmir Begovic.

Jack Wilshere was then perhaps lucky not to be sent off after a studs-up challenge that caused a furious reaction from Pennant, resulting in both getting yellow cards. Then, with the game entering the final ten minutes, Arsenal finally had a lifeline - as Van Persie managed to squeeze his shot under the diving Begovic.

No sooner had they got back into the game, however, then they pressed the self-destruct button. At it was Walters who took advantage, pouncing on Djourou's woeful clearance deep inside the Arsenal box to take a touch a poke the ball beyond Szczesny - ending Arsenal's season and allowing their delighted home fans to turn attention to next week's showpiece final at Wembley.

Steven Fletcher nabs his second of the game © PA Photos

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Wolves escaped the relegation zone with just two games remaining of the Premier League season courtesy of a 3-1 win in their derby match against West Bromwich Albion.

Mick McCarthy's side started the day in 19th place but move up to 17th, one point ahead of both Blackpool and Birmingham, thanks to win inspired by two goals from Scotland international Steven Fletcher, who has now scored five in five games.

Wolves benefitted from some sloppy West Brom defending from set-plays as they opened up a two-goal lead in the first half at Molineux. After 15 minutes, Adlene Guedioura turned a corner into the path of Fletcher, who finished from close range.

The players combined again after 28 minutes, this time Fletcher heading back across goal from a corner and the unmarked Guedioura doubling Wolves' lead.

Fletcher continued his fine recent form when claiming a second from Kevin Foley's assist after half-time, but Guedioura conceded a penalty after 54 minutes, allowing Peter Odemwingie to score his 15th goal of the season, and fifth in five games.

Jerome Thomas then hit the bar as West Brom threatened to mount a comeback, but the Baggies, already safe from relegation, were defeated by their local rivals.

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