Boro’s United draw lets in Chelsea

Hammers flying high as Watford hopes fade

Us end Black Cats run

—– After conceding an early goal, Middlesbrough blow the Premiership title race wide open by deservedly earning a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
With Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer rarely troubled, the leaders could have paid an even heavier price for a lacklustre afternoon as the visitors have strong claims for a late penalty turned down.
United suffer another blow as Rio Ferdinand is ruled out for the next two weeks with a groin problem. They now have nine players unavailable due to injury.
Although the Red Devils have a four-point advantage, Chelsea will retain their crown if they win all of their remaining five league games.
Liverpool, in third, now have a four-point advantage ahead of fourth in the table Arsenal.
Liverpool comfortably beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at Anfield while Arsenal are held to a 2-2 draw in the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur. Jermaine Jenas nets a dramatic equaliser for Spurs in the dying seconds.
Reading’s hopes of a UEFA Cup place are given a major boost after they score three times in the last ten minutes to win 3-1 at Bolton Wanderers.
At the bottom, Watford’s relegation is confirmed after they draw 1-1 with Manchester City at Vicarage Road.
It leaves boss Adrian Boothroyd in reflective mood: “Nobody has died. It is not a time to be sad and say ‘if only’. It is a time to reflect, and make sure we build on all the good things from this season.”
The battle to avoid joining Watford in the Championship looks set to go right to the wire after West Ham United’s 1-0 win against Everton means the five teams above the Hornets are separated by only four points. Bobby Zamora scores the vital goal at Upton Park.
In the day’s key game, Sheffield United stay two points ahead of Charlton Athletic and out of the bottom three after coming from behind to grab a crucial 1-1 draw at The Valley.
Fulham stay in trouble after Lawrie Sanchez’s first home game in charge also ends 1-1. Blackburn Rovers are the visitors.

—– Championship leaders Sunderland suffer their first defeat in 18 games as they slump to a 1-3 loss on their first-ever visit to Colchester United.
It’s another high-water mark in the Us’ first season at this level. On a run of five wins in their last six games, they are now within a point of the Play-Offs with two games to play.
They are level on points with Southampton (who beat Leeds United 1-0 at St Mary’s) and Stoke City (who are denied a precious victory by an added time equaliser from Hull City’s Nick Barmby at the Britannia Stadium).
Leeds remain in the bottom three but are only a point behind the Tigers.
Southend United’s hopes of avoiding relegation are dented by a last minute winner by Plymouth Argyle’s Barry Hayles at Home Park.
The Blues are now four points adrift of safety with only six points available.
Leicester City’s Championship future appears secure after another late, late goal earns a 1-0 win at fourth-placed Preston North End. The former leaders have now lost five of their last six games.

—– It’s a nearly day for the top two in League One.
Only goal difference stands between the title and already promoted Scunthorpe United as they win 2-0 at Tranmere Rovers on manager Nigel Adkins return to his first club. Leading scorer Billy Sharp nets his 31st goal of the season to equal the club record set by Barrie Thomas in 1961-62.
Despite a fine 3-1 win at Carlisle United, Bristol City still have to wait to confirm their promotion to the Championship as there are also wins for Nottingham Forest (3-0 v AFC Bournemouth at the City Ground) and Blackpool (2-1 at Cheltenham Town).
Yeovil Town strengthen their Play-Off place despite a narrow 1-0 win against Rotherham United at Huish Park.
Only goal difference delays Chesterfield’s seemingly inevitable demotion to League Two after they lose 0-1 at Northampton Town.
Bradford City look likely to join them after fellow strugglers Leyton Orient win 2-0 at the Intersonic Stadium.

—– Promoted Walsall miss the chance to return to the top of League Two after relegation-threatened Bury pull off a surprise 1-0 win at the Bescot Stadium.
Swindon Town are almost certain to join the Saddlers in League One next term after they beat Mansfield Town 2-0 at the County Ground but Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 win at Stockport County leaves the Dons six points in arrears with two games to play.
The two clubs in greatest danger of following Torquay United into the Conference both clinch 1-0 home wins - Wrexham against the Gulls and Boston United versus Chester City. They remain level on 45 points.

—– For the first time in its 43 year-old history, one of the commentators on Match of the Day - BBC TV’s flagship football programme - is someone whose playing career was ended by a dislocated kneecap. And she’s a woman.
Jacqui Oatley describes the action from the Fulham v Blackburn Rovers game.
The life-long Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter’s MOTD debut attracts immense media attention due to her being the first-ever female football commentator on British television.
Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez is among those who take a more gentlemanly view: “I am delighted for Jacqui as I have heard her many times on Radio Five Live and believe she is a commentator of great quality, whose knowledge of the game and its personnel is every bit as good as anyone else I have heard.”
While his former Wimbledon boss Dave Bassett is one of those who still need some convincing: “I am totally against it and everybody I know in football is totally against it. The world of football is so politically correct these days.
“I never really agreed that we should have women officials and I don’t think we should have female commentators. And my wife agrees!”