The key games

We look at the defining moments of United's title triumph

Last updated: 11th May 2008

Manchester United Carlos Tevez goal v Chelsea

Carlos Tevez celebrates the goal that put United on the road to success at Chelsea

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Manchester United's march to a 10th Premier League title was unsurprisingly defined by their encounters with the rest of the top four. Here, skysports.com looks back at those crucial head to heads.

MAN UTD 2 CHELSEA 0

United could hardly have picked a better time to face Chelsea, days after the departure of the Jose Mourinho. The champions were not at their best but did not need to be after Mikel Jon Obi's first-half dismissal for a challenge on Patrice Evra. Carlos Tevez headed his first goal for United on the stroke of half-time and Louis Saha's controversial stoppage-time penalty - awarded when he fell following minimal contact with Tal Ben-Haim - gave the scoreline some gloss. It also moved United two points behind leaders Arsenal.

ARSENAL 2 MAN UTD 2

By the time they met the Gunners at Emirates, United were second only on goals scored. Despite ending the day as they began it, their performance sent a clear message they were not about to relinquish the title without a fight. A nondescript first half came to life in stoppage-time when Wayne Rooney's cross deflected in off William Gallas. Cesc Fabregas levelled shortly after the restart and it looked like staying 1-1 until Cristiano Ronaldo finished off a fine United move eight minutes from time. But in a frantic finale, Gallas blasted in a volley that Edwin van der Sar clawed away only for an eagle-eyed linesman to spot it had crossed the line.

LIVERPOOL 0 MAN UTD 1

United succeeded where both Chelsea and Arsenal had failed by comfortably snuffing out Liverpool at Anfield. A ruthlessly efficient performance, which completely shut down the home side's key men, paid dividends when Tevez pounced after Liverpool went to sleep at a corner shortly before half-time. While their opponents were forced to question their own title credentials, United celebrated a victory that proved even more crucial when Arsenal beat Chelsea later that afternoon to reclaim top spot by a point.

MAN UTD 3 LIVERPOOL 0

Four successive Premier League draws for Arsenal had allowed United to open up a three-point lead by the time the second Grand Slam Sunday of the season arrived. With the Gunners at Chelsea later that afternoon, United knew defeat would see that advantage trimmed. But the madness of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano - sent off after testing Steve Bennett's patience once too often - and a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from goalkeeper Jose Reina handed the home side victory on a plate. Wes Brown beat Reina to the ball to nod in a rare goal and the keeper was also at fault when Ronaldo headed in a second. Substitute Nani rifled in a third. Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea meant United ended the day five points clear.

MAN UTD 2 ARSENAL 1

In a game that summed up both sides' seasons, United demonstrated the art of winning while not playing well, while Arsenal flattered to deceive after completely dominating proceedings at Old Trafford. Needing victory to keep their title hopes alive, the Gunners could have scored many times over before Emmanuel Adebayor finally put them ahead early in the second half with a goal that appeared to go in off his hand. They were unable to hold on and Gallas handled Michael Carrick's shot to concede a penalty, which Ronaldo was forced to net twice after encroachment. Owen Hargreaves' brilliant free-kick proved the winner. Chelsea's draw with Wigan the following evening gave United a five-point lead with just four games to play.

CHELSEA 2 MAN UTD 1

United paid the price for resting key men at Stamford Bridge, when victory would have all but assured them of retaining their title. Michael Ballack was Chelsea's hero, heading them in front on the stroke of half-time. Ricardo Carvalho's suicidal backpass allowed Wayne Rooney to burst clear and level against the run of play. But Ballack's ice-cool 86th-minute penalty, controversially awarded when Michael Carrick handled in the box, moved Chelsea level on points with their rivals.