Game Week 36- Review

The Premier League title race promises to be one of the most exciting climaxes in years after
Chelsea beat The Red Devils 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to move level on points with Sir Alex Ferguson's side at the top of the table.It was so nearly United's day with Wayne Rooney capitalising on a mistake by Chelsea's backline to level matters on 57 minutes, cancelling out Michael Ballack's pinpoint header at the end of the first half in the process.However, Chelsea bagged the win they needed in controversial circumstances in the closing stages when Ballack smashed home a late penalty after Michael Carrick was adjudged to have handled in the area.

At one stage on Saturday Fulham were relegated as they trailed 2-0 at Manchester City, while Birmingham were in control against Liverpool with an identical score.However, The Cottagers did something they have only done once in the Premier League. Win back-to-back away games following a remarkable 3-2 success.Roy Hodgson was only looking for his troops to win the second half after City opened the scoring through Stephen Ireland and Benjani, but they did more than that as goals from Diomansy Kamara and Danny Murphy brought Fulham back on level terms.Although City looked more like winning it at the death, the visitors broke and Kamara netted an injury-time winner with a fine left-footed strike to maintain Fulham's hopes of avoiding the drop.

Elsewhere, Birmingham will be kicking themselves after being held to a 2-2 draw against a weakened Liverpool outfit.Although The Reds were without the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, it was an ex-Blue who dented the club's hopes of avoiding the drop.Alex McLeish's side were cruising courtesy of efforts from Mikael Forssell and Sebastian Larsson, but Jermaine Pennant turned things around. Pennant set up Peter Crouch's goal before Yossi Benayoun snatched a share of the spoils.

Reading and Bolton remain a point clear of Birmingham after points away from home at Wigan and Spurs respectively. The Royals' trip to Wigan was a largely forgettable affair, although Steve Coppell was happy with the point at The JJB.Bolton looked at one stage like winning their third straight game after Stelios Giannakopoulos opened the scoring from close range, but Steed Malbranque's cool finish earned the Carling Cup winners a point at White Hart Lane.

Sunderland have guaranteed they will be playing Premier League football next term following a thrilling 3-2 success over North East rivals Middlesbrough.Tuncay fired Boro ahead early on, although The Black Cats responded through Danny Higginbotham and Michael Chopra to take a 2-1 lead.Afonso Alves' neat finish looked to have given the visitors a point but Emanuel Pogatetz's last-gasp own goal gave Sunderland the win to leave Gareth Southgate's side still needing points to save themselves.

West Ham squandered a two-goal lead at home to Newcastle United as they were held 2-2 at Upton Park.Mark Noble and Dean Ashton put The Hammers in firm control against the in-form Magpies, but goals before half-time from Obafemi Martins, who always scores against West Ham, and Geremi secured a point.

The goals kept coming on Sunday as Everton twice led against Aston Villa before eventually being held to a 2-2 draw in what proved to be an exciting affair at Goodison Park.Goals from Phil Neville and Joseph Yobo put The Toffees in front, but Martin O'Neill's side would not lie down and claimed a point thanks to equalisers from Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew.

Portsmouth's impending FA Cup final appearance is proving an unwanted distraction for Harry Redknapp after his side suffered their second straight defeat after going down 1-0 at home to Blackburn.The game burst into life following a dour opening 45 minutes, but Pompey's huffing and puffing failed to trouble Brad Friedel to any great length. Roque Santa Cruz ensured the visiting side left Fratton Park with all three points with a well-taken 74th minute effort.