All Football

Manchester United’s former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel expects the Red Devils to pip Chelsea to the Premier League title on goal difference.
Peter Schmeichel, who won the title five times while he was at Old Trafford - including in 1999 when United achieved the treble - believes his former club will keep their noses in front of Chelsea to claim a tenth Premier League title.

United currently lead Chelsea on goal difference with two games still to play this season - and that’s how Schmeichel thinks the race will end. He told BBC Sport: “I think the two teams will match each other’s results, and not necessarily with each of them winning their last two games.”



United and Chelsea will, of course, also go head to head in Moscow in the Champions League final on 21st May. But before that Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils entertain West Ham at Old Trafford at lunchtime tomorrow, while Chelsea travel to Newcastle United on Monday.

Schmeichel added: “I’m not surprised it is such a tight finish. In fact I fully expected it to be tighter because I expected Arsenal to still be involved - I suppose theoretically they still are but realistically it is between Chelsea and United.

“There are still tough games to be played. I remember only too well how West Ham denied us the league at Upton Park in 1995, and Chelsea travel to a Newcastle team who have come into some form now.”

The legendary Danish keeper admits he was surprised by Ferguson’s team selection for United’s game at Chelsea last Saturday, which they lost. But he believes that was simoly a sign of the gambler in Ferguson.

He said: “I went ballistic when I saw the team and that’s talking as a fan. I wanted United to finish the league there and then and I wanted United to end Chelsea’s phenomenal home record - but when I saw the team I knew it could be a long day.

“But Sir Alex is a clever man. He is a gambler, but not in a bad sense. He will have calculated scenarios. So he will have played a team that he knows runs the risk of being beaten by Chelsea, but he is prepared to run that risk.

“He knows goal difference is worth an extra point, he knows he can beat West Ham and Wigan, but he also knows he wants to win the Champions League and wants all his best players fit.

“So I expect United to win the league on goal difference and if they do they will be worthy winners. There has never been an unworthy winner of that title.”

Meanwhile a Chelsea old boy, defender Graeme Le Saux, is hoping the Blues can snatch the title from United, whom he admits are favourites.

He told BBC Sport: “It has been an incredible achievement by Chelsea’s backroom staff and all the team to go through such a difficult transition and still maintain a fabulous home record, peg back Manchester United and reach the Champions League final.

“I obviously hope they can win the Premier League, but I do say that more in hope than expectation because the advantage is with Manchester United because of their superior goal difference.

“Chelsea know they have to win two league games. That’s all they can do because whatever Manchester United do is out of their control.”

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Tentative Malouda Wary Of Final Jinx

Chelsea Could Bag ‘Fake’ Trophy
Hargreaves: Destiny In Our Hands
Grant: We’re Playing The Best Football