United four points from glory

SIR Alex Ferguson's huge smile was mirrored by the frown on the face of Jose Mourinho, after Bolton Wanderers held Chelsea to a draw that leaves Manchester United on the brink of reclaiming the English Premier League title.

After watching United come from two goals down to beat Everton 4-2 and pull five points clear at the top of the table, Ferguson acknowledged that Allardyce's men had done him a huge favour by holding the champion 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

"Sam will be getting a hug and a kiss," said the Scot with a smile. "Maybe two kisses."

Mourinho came close to acknowledging that the title race is over.

"I'm sad," said the Portugal boss. "It is almost in Manchester United's hands. The title race is almost over but almost is a big word."

The results mean that United, thanks to their superior goal difference, need to take four points from three remaining games to win the title, and they could have wrapped it up before travelling to Chelsea for their penultimate match of the season on May 9.

If Ferguson's side beats local rivals Manchester City next Saturday and Chelsea fails to defeat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium the following day, United will be champions for the first time since 2003.

"Obviously the momentum is with us now," said Ferguson. "Five points clear and with a superior goal difference gives us a marvellous chance with three games left."

Initially lacklustre, United had looked doomed to defeat at Goodison Park when Portugal midfield player Manuel Fernandes hammered in an stoppable 25-yarder, doubling the Everton lead established by Alan Stubbs's first-half free kick.

But a howler by Everton's stand-in goalkeeper, Iain Turner, who dropped a cross to leave John O'Shea with an easy finish, allowed United back into the contest.

Ferguson sent on Cristiano Ronaldo and almost immediately the Portugal winger met a corner with a downward header that former United player Phil Neville sliced into his own net.

That set the stage for Wayne Rooney to effectively settle the contest with 11 minutes left and, with news of the Chelsea result filtering through, substitute Chris Eagles curled in United's fourth.

At Stamford Bridge, Bolton grabbed a 19th-minute lead through Lubomir Michalik, but the champion was level inside three minutes, Salomon Kalou heading in a Wayne Bridge cross.

Chelsea went ahead when Kalou's header ricocheted off the bar, a Bolton defender and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen before ending up in the back of the net.

But Bolton equalised again nine minutes after the interval with a Kevin Davies header, and Allardyce's side held out for what could prove to be a hugely significant draw. Liverpool rested most of its first-choice line-up ahead of Wednesday's (AEST) Champions League semi-final, second-leg with Chelsea, and paid the price in a 2-1 defeat by Portsmouth.

First-half goals from Benjani Mwaruwari and Niko Kranjcar put Pompey in control before Sami Hyypia pulled one back for the Reds after the break.

Norway striker John Carew and Shaun Maloney were on the mark as Aston Villa claimed a 2-0 win at Manchester City, while Spurs boosted their UEFA Cup qualification hopes by winning 3-2 at Middlesbrough, thanks to a Robbie Keane double and a Dimitar Berbatov strike.

Mark Viduka and Emanuel Pogatetz scored for Boro.