Manchester United v Chelsea – in pictures

United's fans converge on Old Trafford to watch their side face Chelsea in one of the most neatly poised title deciders in years. Should Chelsea win they will leapfrog United at the top of the table on goal difference, while a win for the home side would give them a six-point lead with two games remaining – virtually sealing their 19th league title Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

United have yet to lose at home in the league this season and, having defeated Chelsea 3-1 in the Champions League quarter-finals when these two sides last met on this ground, Sir Alex Ferguson must feel optimistic Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

In view of Chelsea's desperate need for goals, Carlo Ancelotti has left Fernando Torres on the bench. Instead, Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba will lead Chelsea's attack Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Javier Hernández prays on his knees moments before kick off Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... and he is rewarded less than a minute later as Ryan Giggs threads the ball to Park Ji-sung who, in turn, feeds Hernández. The Mexican confidently strokes the ball beyond the onrushing Petr Cech to give United the lead Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Nasty fouls are being committed left, right and centre. Howard Webb must think he's officiating the World Cup final again Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Rooney is disgruntled by the lack of action taken by the officials and offers a two-fingered verdict Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Can't remember Pele ever making a gesture like that ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

John O'Shea has the beating of Kalou in the air Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

In the 23rd minute, Giggs whips a left-wing cross into the box and Nemanja Vidic stoops to head United 2-0 up Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Time to rub it in Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Chelsea's players are dumbfounded. They've been awful thus far and hardly look as if they know how to resurrect their chances Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Antonio Valencia has been the scourge of Ashley Cole this afternoon, so much so that Ramires is required to help double-team the Ecuadorian Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Hernández has the beating of Alex and Ramires on the floor. Chelsea are teetering; United are in total control Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Giggs turns John Terry inside out Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

And leaves Ramires trailing hopeless behind him Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

A rare chance comes Chelsea's way in the second half but Kalou's header is tipped away by Edwin van der Sar Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Blues nick an unlikely goal when Frank Lampard toe-pokes the ball past Van der Sar. Twenty-two minutes remaining – unless Chelsea can score again the title is as good as United's ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The final whistle blows and Ferguson leaps from his seat in delight. Forget the maths, he knows the title is his Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Carlo Ancelotti looks resigned as he walks off – resigned to losing his job, perhaps? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

After years of taunting about the number of league titles they had amassed (18), Liverpool fans can now consider themselves as good as knocked from their perch. Presuming they take a point from their last two fixtures against Blackburn and Blackpool, United will hoist number 19 in a matter of weeks Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Fergie bows down to United's fans in the Stretford End. Next up, the Scot must attempt to mastermind victory over Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian