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MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester United ensured the race forthe Premier League title will go to the final game of the season asthey beat Swansea City 2-0 at Old Trafford here on Sunday. But it proved to be a bitter-sweet day for the reigning champions,who will start as significant underdogs to clinch an unprecedented20th title as rivals Manchester City close in on their firsttop-flight crown since 1968. First-half goals from Paul Scholes and Ashley Young saw Sir AlexFerguson's side draw level on points with City at the top of thetable, but with a vastly inferior goal difference. United kept the destiny of the Premier League trophy in doubt untilthe final round of games on May 13, but having surrendered aneight-point advantage, that promises to be scant reward forFerguson's men. To end the campaign, Manchester United travel to Sunderland, whohave not beaten them in the league for 15 years, spanning 19attempts. However, City will be overwhelming favourites to beat arelegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers side who have won justthree times on the road this season. The Premier League title has never yet been decided on goaldifference, but there is every chance this season that it will. United will have to better City's final day result to finish abovetheir near neighbours. Victories for both -- barring a mathematical miracle courtesy of anunlikely nine-goal swing -- will spark huge celebrations in theblue half of Manchester. United kicked off knowing two goals from Yaya Toure had seen Citycement their grip on the title with a 2-0 win at Newcastle Unitedearlier in the day. Asked shortly before the start if City had a hand on the title,Ferguson replied: "Probably two." Swansea's Michel Vorm was by far the busier of the goalkeepers, andthe Dutchman was forced into a fine double save to deny PatriceEvra from 20 yards, and then a close-range follow-up from WayneRooney. Michael Carrick was at the heart of things as the hosts finallybroke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Antonio Valencia beat Neil Taylor to make strides down the rightbefore pulling the ball back for the lurking Carrick, who quicklyre-directed the ball into the six-yard box. Swansea had plenty of bodies back to cover, but that failed toprevent Scholes from reacting first to open the scoring with aclose-range flick. The lack of celebration from the veteran midfielder to meet hisfourth goal of the season betrayed the true feeling in the Unitedcamp, one that their chase was a forlorn one. United's second goal arrived four minutes before the break. Swansea were made to pay for being caught in possession as theyattempted to pass out of their own area, Scholes winning the ballto square for Rooney in the penalty box. The England forward's snap-shot was blocked, but fell invitinglyfor Young to curl his eighth goal of the season into thebottom-right corner with a calm right-foot finish from 15 yards. Rooney wasted a clear opening to claim a career-best 27th PremierLeague goal of the season after being released by Carrick as Welshclub Swansea were again carved open in ruthless fashion. Having already secured another season in the top flight, Swanseararely looked like improving on a dire record at Old Trafford thatnow sees them without a victory there in nine visits. Nathan Dyer curled an early long-range effort narrowly over, andDavid de Gea made a meal of a low 25-yard shot from GylfiSigurdsson, before the Spaniard made amends with a fine save todeny Danny Graham from close range after the break. When De Gea clawed out Sigurdsson's long-range free-kick shortlyafter Dyer blazed high and wide from a promising position, the lastchance of mounting an improbable comeback had gone. Defeat left Swansea in 12th place, with only one victory in theirlast eight league matches going into their final game at home toLiverpool. - AFP/fa. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Construction Hoists Manufacturer , Metal Racking for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Protective Barrier.
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