Report: How The League Was Won By United

A full month-by-month review of the twists and turns in the hunt for the title…

AugustChelsea start with a bang as the champions win their first two games 6-0 (against West Brom and Wigan) while United, who win both home fixtures, are pegged back at Fulham after Nani misses a penalty and Brede Hangeland claims an equaliser. Arsenal need a late leveller at Liverpool in their opener but then also hit six against newly-promoted Blackpool.Month-end positions: 1.Chelsea played 3 / points 9, 2.Arsenal 3/7, 3.United 3/7.

SeptemberCarlo Ancelotti’s side continue to look the part with comfortable wins over West Ham and Blackpool but come unstuck in their first really testing fixture away to City. United can only draw entertaining matches at Everton and Bolton but get the better of Liverpool in a five-goal thriller. The Gunners concede a last-gasp Darren Bent leveller at Sunderland and are then surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home by West Brom. 1.Chelsea 6/15, 2.United 6/12, 3.Arsenal 6/11.

OctoberWest Brom do more damage with a draw at Old Trafford but the Reds finish the month strongly by seeing off Stoke and Tottenham. Chelsea extend their lead at the top with an important win against Arsenal but are held to a goalless draw at Villa Park. Arsene Wenger’s team, bounce back from the Stamford Bridge setback to record three straight wins and climb above United in the table. 1.Chelsea 10/25, 2. Arsenal 10/20, 3.United 10/20.

NovemberThere’s a real change at the top as United pounce with three home wins, including a 7-1 battering of Blackburn. Draws at City and Aston Villa don’t prove too costly as Chelsea pick up only one win all month and lose three times, including 3-0 at home to Sunderland. Arsenal crash at home to Newcastle and Spurs to show cracks of their own. 1.United 15/31, 2.Chelsea 15/29, 3.Arsenal 15/29.

DecemberThe snow brings a number of postponements, including United’s date at Chelsea, to leave City level on points at the top with United going into 2011. The Reds remain unbeaten after Ji-sung Park’s header accounts for Arsenal but concede a controversial late equaliser at Birmingham. The Gunners exact revenge against Chelsea with a 3-1 triumph but have to settle for a 2-2 draw at Wigan in their next outing. A narrow 1-0 victory against Bolton is the only win of the Christmas period for last season’s Double winners. 1.United 18/38, 3.Arsenal 19/36, 4.Chelsea 19/34.

JanuaryFour wins out of five games proves a great haul for United with a draw at Spurs also considered a good result. The comeback win at Blackpool in a rearranged fixture is vital for keeping Sir Alex’s side on track for glory. Arsenal are starting to look the biggest threat as Wenger’s team fail to concede a goal throughout the month, despite being held by City at the Emirates. Dropped points at home to Villa and a shock defeat at Wolves  sees Chelsea lose further ground. 1.United 23/51, 2.Arsenal 23/46, 4.Chelsea 23/41.

FebruaryUnited’s unbeaten record is finally ended at Wolves but the response is positive with Wayne Rooney’s wonder-goal settling the Manchester derby and Wigan hit for four at the DW Stadium. Arsenal collect 10 points from 12 but should have a full house after incredibly surrendering a 4-0 lead at Newcastle. Chelsea slip to fifth, albeit with games in hand on their rivals, following a home reverse to Liverpool and goalless draw at neighbours Fulham. 1.United 27/60, 2.Arsenal 27/56, 5.Chelsea 26/45.

MarchThe league is blown open as the Reds lose tough away games at Chelsea and Liverpool but Dimitar Berbatov’s late winner for ten-man United against Bolton is priceless. Arsenal fail to really capitalise with draws against Sunderland and West Brom but Chelsea, galvanised by the 2-1 success over United, end the month with maximum points after defeating Blackpool and City. 1.United 30/63, 2.Arsenal 29/58, 3.Chelsea 29/54.

AprilUnited show title-winning form at the perfect time with three wins and a draw at Newcastle but it’s not easy as a two-goal deficit needs to be overturned at West Ham and Javier Hernandez leaves it late to sink Everton. A draw at Stoke looks to have ended Chelsea’s challenge but five wins on the spin propels the Blues back onto United’s coat-tails while Arsenal stutter badly with Blackpool their only three points and a defeat at Bolton virtually seals their fate. 1.United 34/73, 2.Chelsea 35/70, 3.Arsenal 34/64.

MayA May Day defeat for United at the Emirates leaves everything in the melting pot again but Sir Alex’s charges pull out all the stops to triumph 2-1 in what is effectively a title decider against Chelsea at Old Trafford. Ancelotti concedes his team’s hold on the trophy is over and Arsenal’s 3-1 loss at Stoke on the same day rules the North Londoners out of the running. Six days after beating the Blues, the Reds wrap up title 19 by drawing 1-1 at Blackburn.