Spectacular goals from David Beckham and Andy Cole eclipsed Tottenham 2-1 and brought the league title back to Old Trafford.
It was nervy and nail-biting. It was almost excruciatingly tense.
At times it must have been footballing torture for the fans who pressed radios
to their ears and prayed that results at Highbury and Old Trafford would go
their way.
But after an afternoon akin to walking a footballing tightrope Manchester
United finally won the most captivating title race for years.
At the final whistle Alex Ferguson let out a euphoric shriek of "Yes" and
was buried in a delirious scrum of his backroom staff. Beckham and David May
kissed and hugged each other, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole rolled on the Old
Trafford turf in delight.
Ferguson then raced on to the pitch to embrace each United player in turn.
And at precisely 6.12pm this afternoon Manchester United captain Roy Keane
wrapped his arms around the Premiership trophy, kissed it and held it aloft to
the United faithful.
One down and two to go in the chase for the most formidable treble in British
soccer history.
And as the inevitable Queen hit "We are the Champions" belted out across the
Theatre of Dreams and acclaim rang out all around Old Trafford the feeling grew
that this side is on the crest of a red and white wave which will not break
until it has enveloped all the prizes on offer this thrilling season.
In typical fashion United made it difficult for themselves. Ferguson has often
remarked that his talented team achieve things the hard way. But little worth
having comes easily. And if Ferguson acclaimed the strength of character
displayed by his talented stars just how proud should they be of him.
It is Ferguson's fifth championship in seven years, a total which equals the
record of the legendary Sir Matt Busby. It is his 10th major prize since
arriving at Old Trafford 13 years ago - already two more than Sir Matt.
And in 10 days time Ferguson hopes to have closed within one trophy of Bob
Paisley's record of 13 by adding the FA Cup against Newcastle next Saturday and
his Holy Grail of the European Cup the following Wednesday.
The importance of the occasion prevented them from turning on the imperious
style which they have displayed for much of this glittering Premiership
campaign.
But still they had heroes - not least in the shape of terrier-like midfielder
and captain Roy Keane, who led the fightback in typically rousing fashion when
they had been stunned by Ferdinand's opening goal. Oh, how the suspended Keane
will be missed in Barcelona.
They had Paul Scholes and Dwight Yorke, who worked tirelessly, Gary Neville
and Denis Irwin such models of consistency and Peter Schmeichel, the big Danish
goalkeeper playing his last competitive match at Old Trafford.
Much, of course, had been made of the irony of Spurs boss George Graham
possibly helping his old club Arsenal, where he won six trophies in eight years
before being shown the door over the infamous 'bung' affair, to retain the
Premiership title they won so gloriously last season.
And there had been suggestions, mostly from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger,
that sheer weariness caused by battling on three fronts would cause United to
trip at the Premiership's final hurdle.
In the end it was all just so much hot air. United showed their passion,
commitment and quality, as they have at every twist and turn of this thrilling
season, out on the pitch.
And so to the story of the match before which Ferguson surprised us by putting
his faith in Teddy Sheringham, the former Spurs striker, and leaving Cole on the
bench as Old Trafford rocked and rolled with anticipation.
The fans were almost celebrating as early as the seventh minute when United
came close to scoring what would have been one of the most bizarre goals of the
season.
Spurs goalkeeper Ian Walker took his time with a routine kick from his
six-yard box, only to see his punt crash against the advancing Yorke and spin
agonisingly towards goal where it struck the post and rebounded into Walker's
grateful arms.
If that was lucky for a Spurs side robbed of the talents of David Ginola with
a calf injury after just eight minutes then there was nothing fortunate about
the way Tottenham took the lead after 24 minutes.
A long floated ball found the head of Steffen Iversen who beat May in the air
and sent the ball skidding into the path of Ferdinand.
The former England striker, who hadn't scored in 1999, shrugged off the
attentions of Ronny Johnsen, stuck out a boot and instinctively lobbed the ball
over Schmeichel, whose desperate attempts at retrieval left him entangled with
the ball in the net.
Spurs 1-0 up and suddenly United's title party was in danger of being
gatecrashed by Arsenal's fiercest rivals. Could this be a nightmare at the
Theatre of Dreams?
But if United have proved anything this season it is that they are not a side
to panic. Remember, this is the team that came back from two goals down against
Juventus in Turin to clinch a place in the Champions' League final.
They surged forward and Walker was soon the busiest man in Manchester - the
Spurs goalkeeper saving from Sheringham and at close-range from Scholes.
But just as it was beginning to look as if it might be one of those days
Beckham brought United level with a goal whose build-up was shrouded in
controversy.
Spurs maintained Tim Sherwood was fouled by Scholes in midfield but referee
Graham Poll allowed the game to continue and Scholes' pass found Beckham
unmarked in the penalty area.
Few players strike a ball as viciously as Beckham and the wicked swerving shot
high into the Spurs net would have beaten any goalkeeper in the world.
Half-time - level at Old Trafford and level at Highbury and time for
managerial master Ferguson to weave his cerebral magic.
Off came Sheringham, whose lack of pace was struggling to dent the Spurs
defence. On came Cole and two minutes later Ferguson's grip on the Premiership
had become vice-like after a goal fit to clinch any trophy.
Gary Neville's ball into the Spurs penalty area was ordinary enough, but the
fashion in which Cole controlled it was extraordinary.
Two deft touches brought the ball under control. A third delicious caress of
his right foot took it over Walker and into the net.
The sigh of relief which blew around Old Trafford was tempered by news of a
goal by Nwankwo Kanu at Highbury. But United's fate was back in their own hands
and if only Paul 'He scores goals' Scholes had been more decisive - or fortunate
- with a header and two shots, all saved by Walker, United's party would have
been swinging much earlier in this frenetic afternoon.
As it was Ferguson withdrew Scholes in the 69th minute for the more
defensively-minded Nicky Butt - and the message was clear: What we have we
hold.
To say the last 20 minutes were anxious is the understatement of the season.
Iversen went close for Tottenham, but his scuffed shot bobbled into Schmeichel's
arms.
And then there was Ferguson on the touchline, eyes popping, finger pointing at
his temple as he exhorted his side to use their footballing brains for the most
vital minutes of their careers.
They did and in the end the victory was just.
And while it was not plain-sailing the plane which dragged a banner across the
Mancunian sky at the final whistle said it all - MUFC Carling Champions
1998-99.
Teams:
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, May, Johnsen, Irwin, Beckham,
Scholes (Butt 69), Keane, Giggs (P. Neville 79), Yorke,Sheringham (Cole 45).
Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Solskjaer.Booked: Sheringham.
Goals: Beckham 42, Cole 47.
Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Edinburgh, Scales (Young 70), Campbell,
Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Ginola (Dominguez 9), Ferdinand,
Iversen, Dominguez (Sinton 76).
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Clemence.
Booked: Anderton.
Goals: Ferdinand 24.
Att: 55,189
Ref: G Poll (Tring).
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