Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 41st goal of the season and Ryan Giggs added a second for insurance to confirm Manchester United as champions in a day of drama at both ends of the table in the Premier League.

The Portugal international held his nerve after 33 minutes at the JJB Stadium, sending Chris Kirkland, the Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, the wrong way after Wayne Rooney had been bundled over in the penalty area by Emmerson Boyce. Giggs scored a second to calm United nerves ten minutes from time with a clinical left-footed finish. Victory was always going to be good enough for Sir Alex Ferguson to celebrate his 10th Premier League title in 16 seasons, no matter what closest challengers Chelsea did. Avram Grant’s side drew 1-1 with Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and lost their captain John Terry to injury.

There had been concern in some quarters that Wigan, managed by Steve Bruce, the former Manchester United central defender, might capitulate, but they gave their all in a tight match and had their chances, most notably in the first half when Luis Antonio Valencia went on a surging run and crossed for Marcus Bent, who could only find the side netting with his attempt on goal, and in the second when Emile Heskey headed just over the bar with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar beaten.

There was also controversy late in the first period when Paul Scholes, who had already been booked, cynically blocked off the run of Wilson Palacios by the right touchline. The former England midfielder - who had been booked earlier - was given a stern talking to by referee Steve Bennett but escaped a second caution and a dismissal.

Intered Sunday knowing they could do nothing if United, with their vastly superior goal difference, won their match, so their game with Bolton Wanderers was rendered somewhat irrelevant.

Even so, after a lacklustre first half, they exerted some pressure when Andriy Shevchenko scored from close range midway through the second half only for Bolton to equalise through Kevin Davies in stoppage time.

The game, though, was marred by a serious shoulder injury to Terry, the Chelsea captain. The England central defender is now almost certainly out of the Champions League final with Manchester United on May 21 after being carried off in agony following a collision with goalkeeper Petr Cech.

There was just as much tension at the other end of the table, where Birmingham City and Reading were confirmed as the sides who will be joining already-relegated Derby County in the Championship next season.

Reading, who had started the day in the relegation zone, went to Derby County and produced the result they required to give themselves a chance of survival, winning 4-0. James Harper put the Berkshire side in front on 15 minutes, Reading’s first goal in 566 minutes of football and Dave Kitson added a second just after the hour. Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita added further goals in the second half.

That victory confirmed the relegation of Alex McLeish’s Birmingham City, despite their 4-1 defeat of Blackburn Rovers. David Murphy put the Midlands side in front with a long-range strike which evaded Brad Friedel, the Blackburn goalkeeper, on 31 minutes and Cameron Jerome put them back in front after Morten Gamst Pedersen had levelled early in the second half. Jerome, the former Cardiff City striker, added his second on the last minute, with Fabrice Muamba scoring in stoppage time.

But while Reading had briefly flirted with the thoughts of playing Premier League football again next season, those hopes were dashed when Danny Murphy scored 14 minutes from time to give Fulham victory at Portsmouth and complete a remarkable escape act by manager Roy Hodgson and his players.

A team effort

“This was a team effort and I think we deserved it because we are the best team in the Premier League.”

- Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo believes United are worthy winners of the Premier League title, and says he knew when his spot-kick nestled in the back of the net that United clinch the trophy.

It may not have been so clear-cut for every United fan watching events unfold at the JJB Stadium but Ronny, as usual, took the ever-confident approach.

“The pressure was high, but we believed in ourselves and we deserved to win the title, definitely,” he said.

Some players may have been nervous stepping up to take the spot-kick midway through the first-half. Not Ronaldo.

“I was confident because I felt that if I scored we would win the match. I am very happy to help my team.”

Ronaldo’s 31 league goals in the 34 games played a huge part in delivering United’s 17th league championship crown, but he says praise cannot be heaped on one player.

“This was a team effort and I think we deserved it because we are the best team in the Premier League.”

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted after another title triumph for Manchester United.

United retained the Barclays Premier League title after a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic secured by a first-half penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo and a second-half clincher from substitute Ryan Giggs.

Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and Ferguson was quick to remind them who has the psychological advantage ahead of the Champions League final in Moscow on 21st May.

“If we had lost the title today it would have been a great knock but the great thing is we are bouncing into the final,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson, asked if United’s latest triumph reinforced his determination to carry on as manager, replied: “I am very proud to have survived so long but I am at a great club which makes it easier for me than the rest.”

Ferguson, who has won 10 titles during his reign, also predicted that the current United side will overhaul Liverpool’s overall total of 18 titles. United now have 17.

He said: “I think it will come. This side is young. There is plenty left in them.”

Chelsea coach Avram Grant congratulated Ferguson on winning the title and then revealed that captain John Terry has a chance of being fit for the Champions League final.

amazing achievement

The Blues’ title hopes were dashed by United’s 2-0 win at Wigan and an injury-time equaliser from Matt Taylor as Bolton snatched a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Substitute Andriy Shevchenko had given Chelsea hope with a 62nd-minute strike but the loss of Terry after 10 minutes with a dislocated elbow now threatens to dent their Champions League chances against United.

Yet Grant was both generous in his praise of Ferguson and confident that Terry could win his fitness battle.

“First I want to congratulate Manchester United,” said Grant. “They had a great season and I have sent a message to Alex Ferguson congratulating him. He is a great manager and a great person. I like him personally. I wished him all the best.

“It is amazing what he has done. I remember at the start when he had problems so it is an amazing achievement.

“John did not break his elbow. But we need to wait and see. We will know if he is fit for the final in a few days.

“I don’t want to see the day when John Terry is not confident of being fit. It is good news that he didn’t break his elbow. He is strong enough to recover but we will wait and see.

“In 10 days we play the final so we will take a decision nearer the time. We need to see that he is fit to play.

“It is firstly the decision of the medical department to see if he can play or not but there is no need to rush, we have time.”

Meanwhile, Didier Drogba suffered a knee injury and Grant said: “It doesn’t look so good, we have to wait.”

Middlesbrough ended the season on a high after scoring an incredible eight goals against Manchester City.

Stewart Downing opened the scoring for Boro with a 16th-minute penalty after Richard Dunne was sent off for bringing down Tuncay Sanli and eight minutes before the break Afonso Alves slotted home the second from 14 yards.

A superb volley with the outside of his left foot from Downing, another strike from Alves, a deflected long-range effort from Adam Johnson, Fabio Rochemback’s 30-yard free-kick and a goal from Jeremie Aliadiere were followed by a consolation for Elano before Alves completed his hat-trick.

Theo Walcott scored the only goal at the Stadium of Light as Arsenal signed off for the season with a 1-0 against Sunderland.

The youngster struck the winner from 25 yards out midway through the first-half in a match which saw both managers ring the changes in their respective line-ups.

Sunderland’s team selection may have given some clues as to which players Roy Keane has threatened to pay off in order to get them out of the club, as last summer’s signings Kieran Richardson and Paul McShane were left out of the 16-man squad. There was no sign of strikers Daryl Murphy or Anthony Stokes either.

There was another surprise in Sunderland’s team selection, with one of Keane’s so-called “untouchables”, goalkeeper Craig Gordon, left on the bench. That enabled Marton Fulop to start what may well be his final appearance for the Wearsiders.

Arsene Wenger rested virtually all of the Arsenal regulars expected to go to Euro 2008 this summer. There was no farewell appearance for the AC Milan-bound midfielder Mathieu Flamini, while Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Robin Van Persie all sat out, as did Kolo Toure.

That meant a leading role for Walcott, who started wide on the left in a midfield completed by Emmanuel Eboue and Brazilians Gilberto Silva and Denilson.

For so much of the season it seemed that Arsenal would be competing for the league title on this final day of the season, but instead they suffered the ignominy of having to play this largely inconsequential last-day fixture.

Carlos Edwards almost added insult to injury in the first minute as he took aim from 30 yards, but Lukasz Fabianski saved in the Arsenal goal.

After that poor start, Arsenal came back into things as Adebayor and Walcott saw shots well saved by Fulop in the opening 20 minutes.

And Walcott scored with a long-range effort on 24 minutes after being fed in the right channel by Gilberto.

Grant Leadbitter almost levelled for Sunderland ten minutes later, but his header from a Ross Wallace cross from the left flew over the bar.

Walcott then had a glorious chance to double his tally with an opening carved out by Adebayor five minutes before the break. But with the goal gaping, the ex-Southampton player fired wide from six yards.

Sunderland boss Keane tried to change things at the break, as he took off his other supposed “untouchable” Kenwyne Jones in favour of Roy O’Donovan. The Irishman only took a few minutes to get involved in the action, as he headed a Danny Collins cross over.

Arsenal were presented with a great chance on the hour mark, as skipper Dean Whitehead’s passback to Fulop was penalised by referee Keith Stroud, giving the Gunners an indirect free-kick from the edge of the Sunderland six-yard box. Adebayor teed up Gilberto from the set piece, but the Brazilian powered his shot wide.

The match petered out in the last quarter after a flurry of substitutions. One of Arsenal’s replacements, youth product Mark Randall, almost got his name on the scoresheet in the final moments, but his well-struck strike was parried by Fabianski.

Arsenal nevertheless did enough to secure their 24th win of a season which has seen them collect a total of 83 points. In seasons gone by, that tally would have been enough to secure the title, but this time around it was only good enough for third place.

Likewise, Sunderland’s final total of 39 points would have seen them relegated in many past seasons, but this campaign it was enough for a respectable 15th place finish.

Birmingham City were relegated from the Premier League despite defeating Blackburn Rovers 4-1 at St Andrews.

Reading’s win at Derby condemned the Blues to the Championship, while Fulham finally grabbed a goal against Portsmouth to also send the Royals down to the second tier.

City took the lead through David Murphy on 32 minutes. The left-back was not closed down as he advanced and let fly from 35 yards, the ball skipping close to Brad Friedel’s body - but for some reason the American goalkeeper did not come close to getting a touch on the ball.

That sparked scenes of celebration in the stands but soon into the second half Blackburn drew level when Morten Gamst Pedersen scored from close range and Reading’s second and third goals at Pride Park put a dampener on any hopes of survival.

Cameron Jerome appeared as a substitute and missed an open goal with perhaps his first touch before slamming home a volley into the bottom corner to give the supporters something to cheer as their top-flight status slipped away.

Jerome finished another with two minutes left and Fabrice Muamba added a fourth with his head in injury-time.

Birmingham were deprived of the attacking nous of Scotland front man James McFadden when he aggravated a knee injury in the warm-up. His replacement Mauro Zarate almost opened the scoring in only the fourth minute, playing a clever one-two with Olivier Kapo and smashing the ball across goal, just past the far-post top corner.

Three minutes later play swung quickly to the other end, Morten Gamst Pedersen intercepting a loose pass and playing in Roque Santa Cruz. The striker tried to square from the corner of the six-yard box, only for City goalkeeper Maik Taylor to come out and get something on the ball to deny Blackburn.

City captain Damien Johnson was shown a deserved yellow card for a cynical challenge that prevented the athletic Jason Roberts from leading a very promising counter-attack before Brett Emerton coasted past Taylor on the wing - outside the ‘keeper’s box - and sent a low cross to the near post, where full-back Stephen Kelly did brilliantly to slide back and clear at the base of the upright with Roberts about to pounce.

After Kelly’s surprise strike and the half-time break, it was Johnson that gifted Rovers the opportunity to level: he stumbled and lost the ball in midfield, allowing Roberts to advance into the area and hit two shots at goal, both saved by the brave Taylor.

The ball dropped at the feet of Santa Cruz, who passed sideways for Norway international Pedersen - and he smacked it home.

Shortly after, Paraguayan Santa Cruz did not endear himself to the vocal home support when he took a dive in the box.

Jerome came on for Mikael Forssell and less than three minutes later scuffed the ball over the crossbar from three yards out with Friedel stranded and the visiting defence nowhere near him.

He made amends with a clever finish from the right-hand side of the box and by rolling the ball home when sent clear in the 88th minute, while Muamba lobbed Friedel from 12 yards with his head in the dying embers of City’s Premier League season.

A late goal by Danny Murphy gave Fulham a 1-0 Premier League win at Portsmouth and an unlikely escape from relegation.

Murphy was left all alone to nod in a Jimmy Bullard free-kick on 76 minutes in an even match that never saw Fulham panic or lose their discipline.

Fulham were six points from safety a month ago, but four wins in their last five matches enabled a remarkable comeback, showing that teams at the bottom can play good football to get out of trouble.

A fourth-minute Simon Davies half-volley that forced a smart low stop by stand-in Pompey keeper Jamie Ashdown was the only good chance in a tepid first half, which saw both sides stroke the ball about neatly without creating many genuine opportunities.

Fulham - who started the match clear of the drop zone on goal difference - needed to develop a greater sense of urgency when relegation rivals Reading and Birmingham took the lead against Derby and Blackburn respectively.

But the hosts made most of the running despite having nothing to play for in the league, and an FA Cup final to look forward to the following weekend.

Niko Kranjcar was particularly impressive, graceful and creative with his passing and movement. He went close with a 12th-minute half-volley and also created half-chances for Jermain Defoe and Pedro Mendes.

John Utaka, meanwhile, dragged a low drive across Kasey Keller in the Fulham goal but there was no-one on hand to tap the ball over the goal-line.

Other than a few interesting runs from Diomansy Kamara, Fulham offered little product from their neat passing play. While 0-0 would ordinarily be a decent half-time scoreline at Portsmouth, other scores meant that Fulham were going down as they went in for their half-time team talk.

The second half saw a more inventive Fulham performance, and Murphy and Bullard both went close with a header and a low drive respectively. Kranjcar had a good drive saved by Keller, while Fulham could have snatched a goal just before the hour mark when a goalmouth scramble followed a Bullard corner.

When Reading went 2-0 up through Dave Kitson, and Birmingham 2-1 ahead thanks to sub Cameron Jerome, a win became imperative for Fulham.

So the Londoners cranked up the pressure. They won a succession of corners, pumped high balls at Brian McBride, brought on Erik Nevland to go to three up front and gave Kamara licence to roam.

And when the Senegal international won a free-kick with 14 minutes remaining, Fulham sent all the big men forward for Bullard’s delivery. But it was one of the smallest men on the pitch who rose unmarked to power a header past Ashdown.

Fulham have been unlucky this season but fortune was on their side at Fratton Park - Murphy was about to come off, his number even noted by the fourth official for an impending substitution when he scored.

The Whites closed the game down afterwards, while to their credit Pompey pushed for an equaliser but were denied by solid defending from Aaron Hughes in particular.

Hodgson’s men held on and, despite comfortable wins for Reading and Birmingham, Mohamed Al-Fayed’s club secured a eighth consecutive season of Premier League football.

Manchester United sealed their 10th Premier League title in 16 years with a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic.

On the day he equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 758 first-team appearances, Ryan Giggs scored the second goal late on to seal a nervous victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave United a first-half lead with a disputed penalty - his 31st league goal of the season.

Bolton’s injury-time equaliser against Chelsea meant United ended with a two-point cushion, but the result at Stamford Bridge was rendered irrelevant thanks to the Reds’ vastly superior goal difference.

United were the division’s top scorers and finished with the best defensive record. Few neutrals - if such people exist - would deny they merited their championship.

Ronaldo’s 31 goals equals the record for a 38-game domestic season, with Alan Shearer having set that mark for Blackburn in 1995/96.

Chelsea proved no less efficient at achieving results, but their inability to produce the fantasy football demanded by Roman Abramovich eventually proved fatal to their title hopes - and could also sound the death knell for Avram Grant’s reign as manager.

They will regroup ahead of the Champions League final - against United - in Moscow in 10 days’ time.

Any talk of a summer stroll in the park for United proved well wide of the mark. Inexperienced left-back Maynor Figueroa was the only non-regular in the Wigan first team while persistent drizzle gradual turned the pitch into a bog.

Wigan tore into their opponents, with strikers Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent providing a muscular, awkward threat up front.

The enigmatic Jason Koumas also started, and soon set about peppering Edwin van der Sar’s goal with 30-yard shots.

Sir Alex Ferguson had complained that United would have been champions weeks ago but for bad luck with injuries and refereeing decisions - particularly in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last month.

But the champions certainly got the benefit of Steve Bennett’s doubt in a controversial first half.

On 22 minutes Rio Ferdinand blocked a Jason Koumas shot with his upper arm but Bennett said ‘no penalty’.

Ten minutes later he had little hesitation in pointing to the spot when Emmerson Boyce brought down Wayne Rooney as the ball pinballed around the Wigan box.

His challenge was more clumsy than malicious, but Ronaldo punished him with a cool spot-kick, sending Chris Kirkland the wrong way and slotting low into the right side of the net.

Bennett found himself in the thick of things on 36 minutes when Paul Scholes shoulder-barged Wilson Palacios.

The midfielder had already been booked for a tackle from behind on Palacios and had the game been less important or the player less illustrious, Bennett may well have flashed the red card. But he kept his cards in his pocket.

The second half saw United playing impossibly nervy football, particularly after news filtered through that Chelsea were beating Bolton.

Chris Kirkland kept Wigan in the game with brilliant saves to deny Rooney - a surprise starter following his hip injury - Carlos Tevez and Ronaldo.

Meanwhile Scholes was denied what looked a clear penalty when Bramble tripped him with a rash sliding tackle.

At the other end Heskey headed narrowly over but Wigan proved unable to capitalise on their opponents’ jitters.

It was all over 10 minutes from time when Giggs, a man who has played a part in all of Ferguson’s title-winning sides, found himself in acres of space at the edge of the penalty area.

Rooney found him with a simple pass, and the Welshman found the corner of the net. Cue wild celebrations from the away fans.

At 34, Giggs’s skills might be on the wane, but he still has an eye for the big occasion and capped off a glorious season in fitting fashion.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has dismissed as “absolutely crazy” Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez’s remarks in the row over Gareth Barry.

O’Neill reacted angrily last week when news of Liverpool’s £10 million bid for the England midfielder was made public.

Benitez claimed on Thursday he was surprised by O’Neill’s indignation because the pair had discussed the “idea” of a Barry transfer - which could include a player exchange - “20 days ago”.

O’Neill responded on Friday by telling his club’s official website: “What idea did I have? I’ve got absolutely no idea! I have no idea what he’s talking about. It’s absolutely crazy.

“It suggests this is a conversation that I wanted to keep going, to keep on the boiling pot. Absolutely not. It’s a complete nonsense.

“This is not something I initiated and I certainly was not on the phone to him to ask him about his players either, which I think is something he’s trying to refer to.

“That is not true. He mentioned players himself but I might not be interested in any of his players.”

Benitez claimed on Thursday that after the pair spoke, O’Neill told him he would discuss the matter with owner Randy Lerner and it could then be dealt with at the end of the season. Liverpool then made their official bid.

O’Neill reacted to this by claiming he was “particularly disappointed” with Liverpool’s timing and by the fact it was made public.

He also revealed how unimpressed with the package he was by adding that Liverpool were not offering straight cash but “an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges”.

Benitez had claimed O’Neill had known “everything about my idea and I knew about his idea”.

But O’Neill has rubbished suggestions that Benitez’s remarks somehow expose their previous conversation.

He added: I’m absolutely astonished at this story, ‘Rafa Exposes O’Neill’.

“I’ve never denied speaking to Rafa Benitez so how can you be exposed for something you haven’t denied?

“I think Rafa is being very clever here. He gives the impression that there’s been constant dialogue. That’s simply and utterly untrue.

“He made a phone call to me - I did not initiate the phone call. He asked about Gareth Barry and I said: ‘Well he’s got a testimonial and two years left to run and he’s our best player.’ So what would the reaction be?

“I said that I would speak to our owner - obviously because he has a big, big say in the proceedings - and I assumed he would have the same answer as myself - that Gareth wasn’t for sale.

“So I’m astonished to read this. The next conversation I had with Rafa Benitez was last Friday morning when Liverpool had put in a faxed offer to us which we received on Thursday afternoon.”