United edge closer to title

Manchester United edged closer to the title at the home of their local rivals thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's 23rd goal of the season.

The Portugal winger scored from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute and should Chelsea fail to defeat Arsenal on Sunday they can begin the celebrations.

It was a close call for United at Eastlands as City failed to covert a penalty with 10 minutes to go, Edwin Van der Sar clearing Darius Vassell's effort with his legs.

Given Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's well-aired opinions on the 'new rules' regarding penalties currently in operation in the top flight, there was irony in the knowledge Ronaldo's success from the spot, and Vassell's subsequent failure means Chelsea must now win at Arsenal if United's visit to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday is not to become a Red Devils party.

Mourinho could have no complaints about United's award, which produced Ronaldo's 23rd goal of the season.

The winger was clearly caught by Michael Ball, with the only criticism surrounding the whole incident being that the City man was still on the pitch after an outrageous stamp on Ronaldo much earlier in the contest.

But for Mourinho the real knife-twister was that after referee Rob Styles ruled Wes Brown had bundled Ball over 11 minutes from time, Vassell could only drive his penalty straight into Edwin van der Sar's legs.

It only maintained an unhappy scoring sequence for City which condemns them to start next season knowing their last league goal on home soil came on New Year's Day.

Not that United will care a jot about that. The title may not quite be won yet but once the formalities are confirmed, it will forever be remembered in Old Trafford folklore as the season they won the league at City.