MANCHESTER, England, May 8 (Reuters) - Manchester United got one hand on the Premier League crown on Sunday as a 2-1 victory over champions Chelsea crushed their rivals' late attempt to snatch the trophy from their grasp.
United burst out of the blocks to take the lead after 37 seconds as Javier Hernandez swept in a delightful Park Ji-sung pass and the hosts doubled their lead after 23 minutes when captain Nemanja Vidic headed in a perfect cross from Ryan Giggs.
A Frank Lampard tap-in after 69 minutes gave Chelsea hope but United held on for the win that leaves them needing just one point from their final two games against strugglers Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool to guarantee a record 19th title.
The champions had clawed themselves back into the title race with a 10-game unbeaten run in which they went from trailing the leaders by 15 points to breathing down their necks.
But it will probably be too little too late after United's 17th home win out of 18 league matches this season.
United burst out of the blocks to take the lead after 37 seconds as Javier Hernandez swept in a delightful Park Ji-sung pass and the hosts doubled their lead after 23 minutes when captain Nemanja Vidic headed in a perfect cross from Ryan Giggs.
A Frank Lampard tap-in after 69 minutes gave Chelsea hope but United held on for the win that leaves them needing just one point from their final two games against strugglers Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool to guarantee a record 19th title.
The champions had clawed themselves back into the title race with a 10-game unbeaten run in which they went from trailing the leaders by 15 points to breathing down their necks.
But it will probably be too little too late after United's 17th home win out of 18 league matches this season.
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