Just when we though it was all done and dusted the weekend's Premier League games throw the pundits yet another curve ball. With Man Utd less than a minute away from seemingly giving up on the title, veteran Paul Scholes muscled the ball past Shay Given to claim an injury time victory for his beloved Red Devils. The last gasp drama at the City of Manchester stadium not only gave Utd 3 vital points, it also gave them a huge psychological advantage as they yet again showed the 'never say die' attitude, that Ferguson's men are famed for.
Down in London the Chelsea players would have been glued to the TV watching the dying minutes and seeing Scholes wheel away in delight as the final whistle blow will have been a huge blow, even before they had kicked a single ball. To make matters worse there opponents down the corridor would be jumping for joy after the defeat for City opened the door for Tottenham to leapfrog them into fourth place. These mental gymnastics will go a long way to explaining the events at White Hart Lane. Spurs were irresistible, dominating the early stages with Gareth Bale continuing his mouth watering form with a fantastic goal. Chelsea on the other hand were flat and after captain John Terry received a justified red card in the 2nd half the defeat was set in stone. This was a great game of football with drama from start to finish but it was the result that provided the most drama of all; a 2-1 Spurs victory leaving them in 4th with just 4 games to play and Chelsea clinging to the top spot by the skin of their teeth.
With Saturday's action over, Arsenal prepared to play Wigan and what was earlier billed as a meaningless game for the Gunners had become an opportunity to get within 3 points of league leaders Chelsea. Although never convincing Arsenal strolled to a 2 goal lead, Theo Walcott providing the first as his pace and trickery proved to be too much for the Wigan defence. For much of the game an Arsenal victory seemed inevitable but a sensational late surge from the Latics supplied one of the most famous come backs in Premier League history. As the season high crowd roared there team on Wigan attacked with more emphasis. Charles N'Zgboia inspiring his team, drifting wide and driving through the middle as he pulled the strings in the final stages. Much like Scholes the previous day it was fitting that the man of match grabbed the winning goal, a thundering left footed shot from more than 20yards in the dying moments. It was no less than Wigan deserved as the Arsenal team so often criticised for its fragility crumbled. As Arsenal face the reality of a 5th consecutive year without a trophy Wigan all but guaranteed a 6th consecutive year of Premier League football and the nature of the victory, their first ever over Arsenal, will have made it all the more satisfying.
There are few certainties in the Premier League this season although there is one undeniable truth. Until that final whistle blows on this campaign nothing is certain and Chelsea and United look set to battle for this title until the very last kick. The last word goes to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who after his side's famous victory opened his press conference with a smile and a sigh. "That's why we're involved in football" he laughed. Sometimes these articles really do write themselves.
Bolton Raider (Total Access Sports)
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