Barclays Premier League

UNITED ARE DENIED THE TITLE

Manchester United are denied their 20th domestic title and the 13th of the Premier League era after one of the most dramatic finishes yet to an English season. United started the afternoon knowing their destiny was not in their own hands, but they appeared to have been handed a scarcely believable lifeline by a display of real courage from ten-man Queens Park Rangers, who were on course to produce a result for the ages at leaders Manchester City. Stoppage-time goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero, however, gave City their first title since 1967-68. Events at the Stadium of Light, by comparison, were somewhat mundane and predictable. United controlled the game and took the lead on 20 minutes when Phil Jones was allowed time to cross and Wayne Rooney was left unmarked to head home at the far post. Rooney could have had a hat-trick in the first half. He struck the top of the crossbar with a free-kick and then somehow managed to side-foot wide from five yards out with the goal at his mercy. Sunderland threatened only sporadically, Fraizer Campbell's volley wide in the first half probably being their best effort of the match. United came close to a second after the break when Paul Scholes saw a shot hit the foot of a post and Simon Mignolet produce the save of the match to deny Ryan Giggs from the follow-up. In the end, none of that mattered with the crazy goings-on at the Etihad Stadium. The never-to-be-forgotten words of Sir Alex Ferguson after his side had scored twice in the dying minutes to win the 1999 Champions League final spring to mind: "Football, eh? Bloody hell!"

CITY SCORE AGAIN!

City have scored twice in stoppage time and are now on course for the title.

FT: SUNDERLAND 0 MAN UTD 1

Manchester United have won, but now have to wait to see if QPR can hang on at the Etihad. We'll stick with this until that match is over.

LIFELINE FOR CITY

City have levelled at the Etihad. It's not over yet!

INTO STOPPAGE TIME

There will be a minimum of three minutes of added time. City need to score twice in five minutes of stoppage time at the Etihad.

OFF THE WOODWORK AGAIN

United have another free-kick just outside the Sunderland penalty area. A Rooney curler hits the outside of the upright.

STILL PUSHING FORWARD

Antonio Valencia is felled by Connor Wickham and United have a free-kick in a promising position on the right side of the area. Giggs' curling effort is tipped away by Mignolet at full stretch.

FINAL DAY MASTERS

United appear to be heading for their ninth victory on the last day of the season in the last ten years.

MAN UTD SUBSTITUTION

Ashley Young is replaced by Nani.

YOUNG SUFFERS LEG INJURY

Ashley Young's day looks done after a foul by Connor Wickham leaves him in a heap on the floor.

BRILLIANT FROM MIGNOLET

A Paul Scholes special strikes the foot of the post before Giggs' thunderous follow-up is tipped over the bar by Mignolet.

SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTION

Connor Wickham replaces David Vaughan.

MAN UTD SUBSTITUTION

Paul Scholes is booked for a foul on Ahmed Elmohamady.

WALL DENIES GIGGS

Giggs drives the free-kick into the wall and from the rebound Valencia screws his shot across goal.

SUNDERLAND BOOKING

Michael Turner is cautioned for a foul tackle on the edge of his own area. Ryan Giggs fancies this free-kick.

QPR IN FRONT!

Ten-man QPR have taken the lead at the Etihad Stadium. Un-bel-ievable!

SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTION

The Sunderland bench have just asked Bardsley if he is alright, and he has just said no. He goes off to be replaced by Wayne Bridge.

BARDSLEY STRUGGLING

Phil Bardsley appears to have a leg injury, but will limp on for now with Sunderland having already lost one of their full-backs.

GREAT BLOCK FROM GARDNER

Craig Gardner throws his body in the way of a shot from Ashley Young, who was set up by the influential Valencia.

GET OUT OF THE WAY

Valencia plays the ball inside to Michael Carrick, whose shot would certainly have tested Mignolet had Phil Jones not got in the way.

MAN UTD BOOKING

Ryan Giggs fells Ahmed Elmohamady and is cautioned for the foul, although the Egyptian made a real meal of that with a theatrical tumble.

RED CARD FOR BARTON

Joey Barton has been dismissed at the Etihad Stadium, meaning QPR will play the last 35 minutes with ten men.

LIVING ON THE EDGE

Stephane Sessegnon turns neatly in the area, but Patrice Evra gets in a vital block. Suddenly United look nervous knowing that the title is within reach.

AHEAD OF THE GAME

Coming into this match, Sunderland had conceded the highest proportion of headed goals in the top flight this season (27 per cent). Manchester United had scored the joint-most headers in the Premier League (15). Was it a surprise that Rooney nodded the opener?

STILL LIFE IN SUNDERLAND

Sunderland want a penalty after Ahmed Elmohamady tumbles in the area and Phil Bardsley's goalbound follow-up finds a United body in the way.

HEADER WIDE FROM JONES

Young floats in a free-kick to the far post, and although Jones rises highest his header is wide of the upright.

INCREDIBLE NEWS

Would you believe it. Djibril Cisse has levelled for QPR at Manchester City and United are top of the table again!

FANTASTIC SAVE FROM MIGNOLET

Young sets Rooney up again, but his fearsome strike is beaten away superbly by Mignolet.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

United are immediately on the attack again, but Mignolet is off his line to gather Young's neat flick just ahead of Rooney.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

United get the second half under way.

HT: SUNDERLAND 0 MAN UTD 1

Manchester United lead at the break thanks to a 20th-minute goal from Wayne Rooney. The England striker scored with a far-post header following a right-wing cross by Phil Jones as Sunderland's defence went to sleep. It has been all United. Giggs forced a save from Simon Mignolet, Rooney hit the top of the bar with a curling free-kick and then missed from five yards out when it appeared easier to score. By contrast, Sunderland threats have been few and far between, their best opening falling at the right foot of Fraizer Campbell, who volleyed wide. United are doing their bit, they just need some help from old boy Mark Hughes and his Queens Park Rangers side, who trail leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

TAME SHOT BY VALENCIA

Evra's ball in from the left finds Valencia, who shoots tamely into the mid-riff of Mignolet.

STOPPAGE TIME

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

O'SHEA INJURED

John O'Shea limps off with what appears to be a hamstring problem. Ahmed Elmohamady comes on in his place.

TRIVIA ANSWER

Earlier we asked you who were the three clubs to net 90 goals in a Premier League season. The answer: Manchester United in 1999-2000, Chelsea in 2009-10 and City this season.

CITY IN FRONT

Manchester City have taken the lead at the Etihad Stadium through a Pablo Zabaleta goal.

MAN UTD BOOKING

Phil Jones collects his sixth caution of the season after a foul on James McClean.

FIRST SUNDERLAND THREAT

That Rooney miss almost proves costly as Sunderland go close to levelling. Sessegnon's deft chip over the top finds Campbell unmarked near the penalty spot, but he snatches at the chance and the volley goes wide.

INCREDIBLE MISS FROM ROONEY

Wayne Rooney can hardly believe it after he fails to score from just five yards out with the goal gaping. Valencia got clear down the right and his pull-back was unselfishly played by Young into the path of Rooney, whose side-foot effort went wide of the left-hand upright.

FERDINAND STRUGGLING

Rio Ferdinand is in some discomfort, with what seems to be a problem with his left knee.

SUNDERLAND BOOKING

Phil Bardsley becomes the second Sunderland player to be cautioned.

ROONEY HITS THE CROSSBAR

United win a free-kick right on the edge of the Sunderland box after Bramble hacks down Rooney. The England striker gets to his feet and curls a delightful shot over the wall which strikes the top of the crossbar.

GIGGS DENIED BY MIGNOLET

United come close to netting their 90th of the season, Young squaring the ball to Giggs, whose rasping shot is beaten away by Mignolet

IT'S TRIVIA TIME

If United net one more goal today, they will become the fourth side in the Premier League era to net 90 goals in a top-flight season. Can you name the three clubs to have achieved that feat? Answer in a few minutes.

TOP OF THE PILE

As it stands, of course, United currently sit top of the Premier League, because it remains goalless at the Etihad Stadium.

SUNDERLAND BOOKING

Fraizer Campbell scythes through Patrice Evra with a dreadfully late tackle. He gets a yellow card, it could easily have been red.

IN SEARCH OF A MILESTONE

That goal was the 199th of his club career for Rooney.

MORE ON THAT GOAL

Phil Jones was allowed time to swing over a cross from the right, Michael Turner made a half-hearted attempt to clear and Rooney stooped low to head home from close range at the far post.

GOAL: SUNDERLAND 0 MAN UTD 1

Wayne Rooney gives United a deserved lead.

JUST OVER FROM JONES

Giggs floats a superb corner in from the left, Jones meets the delivery with a free header which only just clears the crossbar.

GOALS HARD TO COME BY

Sunderland have failed to score in eight of their last 10 league games against the Red Devils, including the last four in a row. They've certainly not looked likely to end that barren run in the first quarter of an hour.

ESCAPE FOR BARDSLEY

United work a short corner, Young gets the return ball and curls a cross to the far post which skims off the top of Phil Bardsley's head with Rooney lurking just behind him.

WEATHER REPORT

It's dull and overcast at the moment on Wearside.There also appears to be a stiff breeze blowing.

UNITED THREATEN AT LAST

Valencia leaves O'Shea for dead down the United right and fizzes a cross along the floor which Mignolet can only palm away in front of him. Bramble mis-kicks an attempted clearance, but Sunderland do manage finally to clear the danger.

VAUGHAN TRIES HIS LUCK

David Vaughan plays a ball into the area, Evans is there to toe-poke it away, but the Sunderland midfielder pounces on the rebound in a flash and curls a good-looking shot goalwards which is too close to De Gea.

EARLY GOALS ELSEWHERE

Tottenham and Arsenal are already a goal to the good, but higher up the table the two Manchester rivals are still seeking an early breakthrough.

BLUE IS THE COLOUR

For those of you reading our commentary in black and white, United are in their natty change strip of royal blue and navy blue hoops.

TAME SHOT FOR OPENERS

Sunderland have the first effort on goal, James McClean cutting in from the left and trying a right-foot shot from 25 yards. The ball is scuffed, goes all along the ground and is easy for David De Gea.

UNITED ALREADY AHEAD

Judging by the pictures from elsewhere, it looks as though this match got under way slightly before the one at the Etihad.

HERE WE GO

Sunderland kick off, attacking the goal to our right.

TODAY'S TEAMS

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Turner, Bramble, Bardsley, Gardner, Vaughan, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Campbell. Subs: Westwood, Bridge, Wickham, Ji, Meyler, Kyrgiakos, Elmohamady. Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Giggs, Young, Rooney. Subs: Amos, Owen, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Nani, Rafael Da Silva. Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

TEAM NEWS

Sunderland make three changes to the team beaten at Fulham. In come Campbell, Vaughan and Bramble, Ji drops to the bench and there is no place in the 18-man squad for Kilgallon or Cattermole, nor for Nicklas Bendtner, for that matter. United make two changes, with Jonny Evans coming in to central defence for the injured Chris Smalling and Ryan Giggs replacing Javier Hernandez. Michael Owen is among the substitutes.

PREVIEW

It would appear that Manchester United have blown their chances of a 20th English league title, but the unpredictable nature of this season's Premier League means that nothing should be taken for granted on the final day. United head to Wearside to take on Sunderland on Sunday, level on points with Manchester City, but with an eight-goal inferior goal difference. So if their City rivals do as expected and beat Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium, United would have to better that margin of victory by nine goals. Not a prayer, even for a side that has 88 goals to their credit already this season. But should United strike an early blow then we will see what City are made of as the nervousness of their long-suffering supporters will doubtless transfer itself to the players on the pitch. “If we score first, maybe the City fans in the stadium will start to be nervous,” United's France defender Patrice Evra said. “When you are nervous, you rush things and you don't do the things you want to do.” United went into the last day of the 1967-68 season level on points with Manchester City, who had a vastly superior goal average. City won 4-3 at Newcastle that day, to claim only their second title, while United stumbled, beaten at home by, you've guessed it, Sunderland. The parallels are a little uncanny to say the least. Today's game kicks off at 1500BST, so join us around 30 minutes beforehand when we should have the confirmed team news, which will be followed by a match commentary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The visitors will look to Wayne Rooney, who else, for their goal-scoring threat. The England striker has netted 18 times in his last 19 appearances for the club in all competitions. More incredible than that, however, is Rooney's recent disciplinary record. The man generally regarded to have one of the Premier League's shorter fuses was booked against Swansea last time out, ending a run of 35 matches without a caution. It was also Rooney's first yellow card in a domestic match since United beat Chelsea in May 2011, some 364 days previously. It's true there is much riding on this match, but even though Sir Alex Ferguson could never be regarded as a sentimental soul, it would not be a total surprise if he names Dimitar Berbatov among his substitutes. The Bulgarian has three goals in his last four games against Sunderland and if he were to see any action it would more than likely turn out to be his farewell appearance for the reigning champions. Sunderland are likely to have two boyhood United fans in their ranks, defender Phil Bardsley, a former United trainee, and Ireland midfielder James McClean, who has been one of the Premier League's most impressive new additions this season.

HEAD TO HEAD

United have the better head-to-head record in league meetings between the sides with 52 wins to 37 by Sunderland and 28 games being drawn. On Wearside, Sunderland have the edge with 26 wins to United's 18, with a further 14 meetings ending up all square. United won the first meeting between these sides this season 1-0 on November 5, courtesy of a 45th-minute own goal from their former defender Wes Brown. The corresponding match at the Stadium of Light last season on October 2 finished in a goalless draw. United are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League matches home or away against Sunderland (14 wins, 5 draws) dating back to a 2-1 win for the Mackems back in March 1997. Michael Gray and John Mullin were their scorers that day.

FORM GUIDE

The feel-good factor under Martin O'Neill has certainly disappeared in recent weeks as Sunderland are without a win in seven, drawing five and losing to Everton and Fulham. They have won just twice in their last 13 outings in the league. The Black Cats have also won just twice home or away against sides in 19 matches against sides in the top half of the table. They have, however, conceded just 16 goals in front of their own fans this season, a mark bettered only by Manchester City and Everton. United beat Swansea last time out, but the seven points they dropped in their previous four games will likely prove costly when they look back at where the title was won and lost. The Red Devils have lost their last two away games at City and Wigan, having only lost one match away from home – at Newcastle – over the course of the rest of the season. Despite those two latest setbacks, they have collected 39 points away from home, five more than Manchester City and 12 more than anyone else in the division.

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Wes Brown is back in training after a knee problem but Sunderland are unlikely to risk him against his former club with nothing on the line for the home side. Brown has been out since January. Kieran Richardson and midfielder Sebastian Larsson (both hernia surgery) are out but Titus Bramble should at least make the bench again as his Achilles injury appears to have cleared up. United will be without defender Chris Smalling and striker Danny Welbeck for the trip to Wearside. Smalling will have surgery on a groin injury which will mean he misses Euro 2012 and his place alongside Rio Ferdinand in the heart of the United defence will go to Phil Jones. Welbeck is still bothered by the ankle he injured in last month's Manchester derby.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

The man taking charge of today's game is the vastly-experienced Howard Webb MBE, the first referee to preside over both the Champions League and World Cup finals in the same season (2010). This is the 29th Premier League appointment of the season for the South Yorkshire whistleblower. He has produced 82 yellow cards and dismissed three players in his previous 28 outings, one of whom was Sunderland's Phil Bardsley. Those three expulsions, however, all came in his first four games and Webb has not sent anyone off in his last 24 Premier League matches. Webb's assistants today are Peter Kirkup and Mike Mullarkey, while Lee Probert is the fourth official.