United champions after Chelsea held

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United won the Premier League for the first time in four years on Sunday as 10-man Chelsea, needing victory to keep the title race alive, could only draw 1-1 at Arsenal.

The result, coming a day after United beat Manchester City 1-0, left Alex Ferguson's side seven points clear of Chelsea with two games remaining.

Arsenal led with a 43rd-minute Gilberto penalty after Chelsea centre back Khalid Boulahrouz brought down Julio Baptista and was sent off.

Michael Essien's glancing header with 20 minutes remaining gave Chelsea hope and led to a furious late assault.

However, they were unable to find the second goal and now instead of Wednesday's Stamford Bridge meeting with United being a title decider it will become merely a handover ceremony.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho congratulated United and said he was proud of his team, emphasising the season was far from over as they could still win the FA Cup to add to the League Cup they have already won.

"Maybe I'm prouder today than when we were champions ... because my players are heroes. I think they did it brilliantly. The season is not over, we have a final to play. The season for me was magnificent," he told Sky Sports.

Manchester United manager Ferguson said that despite being in the running for other silverware this season, winning the league title had been the priority.