Manchester United stormed back from two goals down to beat Everton 4-2 and open up a five-point lead in the Premier League on Saturday as rivals Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton Wanderers.
With only three games left, United have one hand on the trophy after their England striker Wayne Rooney scored United's vital third goal against his old club in the 78th minute at Goodison Park. Victory was wrapped up by a fourth in stoppage time from youngster Chris Eagles. It meant that United, who travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 9, have 85 points to the champions' 80.
Asked about the momentum in the title race, Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "With Chelsea drawing, it's back with us. A five-point lead and superior goal difference gives us an absolutely marvellous chance with three games left."
Though United did the job at Everton, they were also helped by the draw earned in London by their north-west neighbours Bolton, managed by Ferguson's friend Sam Allardyce.
"I'll be giving him a hug and a kiss," Ferguson joked. "Maybe two kisses." Title fortunes swung one way and then the other on a thrilling afternoon of sunlit football, with Chelsea at one stage level on points with United as Alex Ferguson's men trailed on Merseyside and Chelsea led in west London. The biggest drama was at Everton, who were 2-0 up with a deflected free kick by Alan Stubbs after 11 minutes and a superb shot by Manuel Fernandes just after the re-start before the hosts committed two costly blunders.
DROPPED BALL Keeper Iain Turner dropped the ball after an easy catch, allowing United's John O'Shea to rifle home in the 61st minute, and former United defender Phil Neville struck an attempted clearance into his own net seven minutes later.
Rooney, still unpopular with some Everton fans after he left for United in 2004, got the potentially title-winning goal after riding one tackle and then steering a shot into the right-hand corner.
Eagles put the result beyond doubt as United staked their claim to a title they could win as early as next weekend, making their game at Chelsea on May 9 a 'dead' fixture.
United have a derby at lacklustre Manchester City, while Chelsea have a trickier game on paper at London rivals Arsenal. The champions, who face United in the FA Cup final on May 19 at Wembley, will regret their missed chance at home on Saturday in a rollercoaster game.
Slovakia defender Lubomir Michalik gave Bolton a surprise 19th minute lead on his full debut, only for Chelsea's Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou to level soon after with a header. Kalou was also responsible for Chelsea's second goal, sending in a header that struck the crossbar and rebounded into the net off keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 33rd minute.
But as Chelsea closed in for the kill, Bolton forward Kevin Davies exploited a defensive lapse to head an equaliser soon after the re-start and Sam Allardyce's men held on for a point.
Fans at both matches paid tribute before kickoff with sustained applause in memory of former Everton player and England 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball, who was found dead at his home after a suspected heart attack on Tuesday night. Players marked the occasion by wearing black armbands.
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