17 May,2009 07:10 AM IST | | PA Sport
Manchester United clinch third EPL title in a row and 18th overall after 0-0 draw with Arsenal
Manchester United claimed their third successive Barclays Premier League title on Saturday after a goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Alex Ferguson's side needed only a point to seal the trophy in the day's lunch time kick-off and a steady if unspectacular performance delivered just that, making it 11 Premier League crowns in total for the Scot and a record-equalling 18 top-flight titles for the club overall. Liverpool have also won the title 18 times.
United were rarely troubled by an improved Arsenal side, for whom Andrey Arshavin looked lively and Robin van Persie went close late on. But the hosts held firm at the back and finished the job to move seven points clear of Liverpool, who travel to West Brom on Sunday but can no longer catch Ferguson's team.
Now eyeing No 19
Ferguson was delighted to have presided over United's 18th league title and now says that number 19 is the one he really wants.
After vowing to "knock Liverpool off their perch" when he first headed south from Aberdeen in 1986, Ferguson is now just one league championship away from doing just that.
"The great challenge now is to try to win it next year because that would be something special," Ferguson said.
"It would be a 19th league and give us a special place in the club's history.
"I am already thinking about next season. You have to do that when you are here. There is nothing else for it. You just drive on."
Saturday EPL results
Man Utdu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 0-0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Arsenal
Boltonu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a01-1u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Hull City
Evertonu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a03-1u00a0u00a0u00a0 West Ham
Middlesbroughu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 1-1u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Aston Villa
Newcastleu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 u00a00-1u00a0u00a0u00a0 Fulham
Stoke Cityu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 2-0u00a0u00a0 Wigan Ath
Tottenhamu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 2-1u00a0u00a0u00a0 Man City
