Manchester United retained their Premier League crown with evergreen Ryan Giggs clinching a 2-0 win over Wigan.
Delight for Ryan as Fergie's men retain Premier League crown
Manchester United retained their Premier League crown with evergreen Ryan Giggs clinching a 2-0 win over Wigan.
Giggs, on as a second-half substitute, ran on to Wayne Rooney's perfect pass to slot home and confirm Sir Alex Ferguson's men as champions with Chelsea drawing 1-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Prior to kick-off, Giggs' had been introduced for his 758th United appearance, equalling a milestone left by Sir Bobby Charlton that will surely be eclipsed in Moscow on May 21.
But all Giggs will care about is adding to a medal collection that continues to expand, containing all 10 championships won under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Few would begrudge the Red Devils their latest success but the game at the JJB had more than its share of controversial incidents before United emerged as champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo's 33rd minute penalty - awarded after Rooney went down under Emmerson Boyce's challenge - was debatable while there were many who felt Wigan should have been awarded a spot-kick themselves when Rio Ferdinand appeared to handle in his own box.
Deliberate
Paul Scholes was lucky to escape a second caution following a deliberate block on Wilson Palacios as the visitors endured some nervy first-half moments.
They appeared more composed after the break and once Giggs slotted home United's second they were able to put the champagne on ice.
But Wigan did their supporters proud as they controlled possession for long periods and enjoyed the majority of chances.
Emile Heskey was a particular thorn in the side of Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and, with Antonio Valencia providing flashes of inspiration fom the flanks, United were wobbling.
Had Chelsea known the strife their rivals were in and taken advantage in those tense early minutes, United may have toppled.
Instead, Michael Brown, Jason Koumas and Marcus Bent all failed to convert half chances and Chelsea, with longer-term problems concerning John Terry to deal with, could not seize the early initiative.
Not for the first time in recent weeks, Ronaldo had been a subdued force until his moment of destiny arrived and allowed him to equal Alan Shearer's Premier League best haul of 31.
But, with the pressure starting to increase, Ronaldo was the coolest man in the stadium, sending Chris Kirkland the wrong way after Boyce had clipped Rooney.
Like Ronaldo, Rooney toiled for long periods without having an impact but as Paul Scharner let the ball slide under his foot, Ferguson's decision to select the England man was fully justified as he was onto it in a flash.
A posse of Wigan players, Boyce among them, surrounded referee Steve Bennett to complain, although in truth they had a more plausible argument when Paul Scholes barged Wilson Palacios over by the touchline a couple of minutes later.
Dramatic
As the tenacious midfielder had already been booked for a foul on the same man, Bennett would have been fully justified in giving the afternoon a dramatic twist by pulling out a red card.
Instead, the official, harangued by Ferguson for dismissing Ronaldo at Portsmouth earlier in the season, opted to issue a final warning, which merely reinforced the belief that United would be champions.
United certainly began the second-half as if they believed it.
Kirkland denied a thunderous Ronaldo free-kick and goalbound efforts from Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
It formed past of a frenzied period which should have seen United awarded a penalty for Titus Bramble's ill-advised lunge on Scholes and Rooney booked as he launched a volley of abuse at Bennett for a free-kick awarded against him.
At least for the sake of United's nerves, the action was taking place around the Wigan goal but by the time Giggs was introduced, the Latics had revived and Emile Heskey planted a header on the roof of the visitors' net from Koumas' free-kick.
But United were not to be denied and 10 minutes from time, Rooney provided the killer pass for Giggs to wrap up yet another title and allow minds to wander towards the Luzhniki Stadium in 10 days' time when they intend to leave Chelsea heartbroken once more.
| Wigan Athletic |
Team Statistics |
Manchester United |
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 5 |
Corners |
12 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
6 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 68.8 |
Passing Success |
82.5 |
| 27 |
Tackles |
28 |
| 66.7 |
Tackles Success |
71.4 |
| 37 |
Possession |
63 |
| 45.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
54.2 |
|
