United held nerve to win as rivals faltered

By Mike Collett - Analysis

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United emerged as champions of England for the 17th time on Sunday because they consistently held their nerve under pressure while their main rivals faltered.

Unlike Arsenal, who played some equally attractive football at times, United nearly always seemed able to turn the opportunities they created into goals with Cristiano Ronaldo equalling Alan Shearer's record of 31 league goals in a 38-match Premier League season.

They also defended far better than either Arsenal or Chelsea and won more matches. The fact they also lost two more than either of the London sides proved irrelevant in the end.

Their 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic and Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers on the final day saw them home by two clear points, with a vastly superior goal difference to Chelsea.

Since the turn of the year they have lost only two league games -- the first on an emotion-charged afternoon at Old Trafford in February when Manchester City beat them 2-1 in the game marking the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

The second defeat, also by 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on April 26, brought Chelsea right back into contention, but United held their nerve right to the final kick of the season.

More often than not, outstanding defending, inventive midfield play and some dazzling finishing brought United one win after another and kept the title firmly in their sights.

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