LONDON, (Reuters) – Manchester United were crowned English champions for a record 19th time yesterday when Wayne Rooney’s penalty earned a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers and the point they needed to win the Premier League title.
Rooney, who came close to quitting United earlier in the season, struck the equaliser in the 73rd minute to take United seven points ahead of Chelsea, who have two games to play.
It is United’s 12th title since the Premier League began in 1992-93 and 19th in total, surpassing the record they had shared with Liverpool.
“The players worked their socks off,” said manager Alex Ferguson, who leapt in delight as the final whistle sounded.
“We gave away a bad goal but we kept on,” added Ferguson. “That’s a good quality.”
It had been a nervous afternoon for United after they fell behind to a Brett Emerton goal on 20 minutes. While they enjoyed most of the possession, clear chances were hard to come by until Javier Hernandez was sent sprawling by a challenge from goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
Referee Phil Dowd consulted with a linesman and after furious arguments involving players from both teams, Rooney stepped up to score the crucial equaliser.
“It was terrifying,” said Rooney, who changed his mind about leaving United in October, signed a long-term contract and has since rediscovered his scoring form.
“I had to compose myself before taking the penalty because there was quite a long delay,” he told Sky Sports.
“After the year I’ve had, so many ups and downs, this is fantastic. Winning the Premier League is amazing, getting that 19th title. For me personally, for the fans and the club, it’s a great feeling for us.”
EUROPEAN HOPES
United have 77 points from 37 matches with Chelsea on 70 from 36.
They now have the chance to seal a Premier League and Champions League double against Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley on May 28.
Ryan Giggs has been in all 12 Premier League-title winning teams.
“Obviously we’re rubbish — we’ve won the Premier League and we’re in the Champions League final,” he joked.
“Twenty years ago we were nowhere near Liverpool, but we’ve gone past our biggest rivals. This is why I keep going, for days like this. It’s amazing.”
For the first time since 1951 top division games were played on the same day as the FA Cup final with United’s neighbours Manchester City facing Stoke City at Wembley.
Although relegation-threatened Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers were all in action, the results proved inconclusive as far as the drop was concerned.
Blackpool won a thriller 4-3 against Bolton Wanderers — the same score as their famous victory over them in the 1953 FA Cup final — but remained in the bottom three as Wolves won 3-1 at Sunderland where Mick McCarthy earned a vital victory against his former club.
Blackburn’s 1-1 draw with United kept them one point above the drop zone and West Bromwich Albion beat Everton 1-0.
Yesterday’s results mean bottom-placed West Ham United, who play at second-from-bottom Wigan Athletic on Sunday, are almost certainly down, but still have a mathematical chance of avoiding the drop.
Blackburn and Wolves are on 40 points with one match to play, Birmingham on 39 with two left, Blackpool on 39 with one to play, Wigan on 36 with two left and West Ham on 33 with two left.
