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Monday, May 7, 2007

How the title was won - Part 1
ManUtd.com takes a look back at the pivotal moments in the 2006/07 title race as United claim Championship glory...

- Start as we mean to go on
United lay down a marker to the rest of the country by knocking five past Fulham in a thrilling attacking display in their first game of the season at Old Trafford.

- Blues slip up almost immediately
A set of midweek fixtures follows hot on the heels of the opening weekend, and Wednesday 23 August turns out to be a good night for the Reds as United win at Charlton and Chelsea lose at Middlesbrough.

- Gunners upset the applecart
Four straight victories keep United on top of the league until Sunday 17 September, when a defeat at home to old foes Arsenal allows Portsmouth to leapfrog us in the table. At least we're still ahead of Chelsea only just on goal difference.

- But not for long
Another wobble in the league as United draw away at newly-promoted Reading. A win over Fulham in the west London derby lifts Chelsea two points clear at the top of the Premiership. Incredibly, it turns out to be the only time Chelsea will end the weekend on top of the league and the last time United don't.

- Normal service is resumed
The champions stumble once again at home to Aston Villa on Saturday 30 September, drawing 1-1. United take full advantage, seeing off Newcastle with two goals from the evergreen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

How the title was won - Part 1
- A bad week for the Blues
All three points are accrued by Chelsea away at Reading on 14 October, but at some cost. Petr Cech suffers a fractured skull that was to rule out the influential stopper for three months. United still ahead on goal difference.

- United step up a gear
A dramatic 2-0 win over Liverpool is followed by a 4-0 victory away at Bolton, featuring a glorious Wayne Rooney hat-trick, and an easy 3-0 win over Portsmouth. Chelsea slip up again the day after our Pompey win, losing to rivals Tottenham for the first time in 16 years with captain John Terry sent off. Reds go three clear at the top.

- The big two lock horns
The Premiership hype machine goes into overdrive when champions meet challengers on 26 November at Old Trafford. Louis Saha puts the Reds in front, but a Ricardo Carvahlo header draws the visitors level. Final score 1-1.

- Reds move on up
9/10 December is a big weekend in the race for the Premiership as United beat City 3-1 and Arsenal nick a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. United's lead at the top stretches to eight points.

- United stumble in east London
Chelsea claw their way back into the championship race with a late rally at Goodison Park which sees them come from 2-1 down to beat Everton 3-2. United head to Upton Park but come up against a dogged West Ham side who run out 1-0 winners.

- Boxing day blues for Chelsea
Yet again, Chelsea fail to capitalise on United's recent slip-ups, drawing at home
to Reading on 26 December. United pile on the pressure by beating Wigan 3-1 later that afternoon.

- Happy new year!
Four days later that four point lead turns into six when the Blues are held to a draw at home to Fulham. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is really hitting his stride and his two goals help see off Reading at Old Trafford.

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