Premier League: The race for the title

15 August 2009 – There were victories for Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, but Liverpool, who had run United close for the title in 2010-11, gave an early indication of the difficulties they would endure with a lacklustre display at White Hart Lane where Rafael Benítez's side were beaten 2-1
Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

19 August 2009 – The champions were the subject of perhaps the most surprising result of the campaign when they visited a raucous Turf Moor to face Owen Coyle's newly-promoted Burnley. The Guardian's Daniel Taylor described United as 'shockingly bad' as they went down 1-0 to a wonder-strike by the veteran winger Robbie Blake. Michael Carrick's missed penalty compounded a woeful night for United, who still looked shellshocked after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid
Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

23 August 2009 – Having brought Carlo Ancelotti from Milan to Stamford Bridge in the summer, Chelsea were the only team to keep pace with Arsenal in the early running. A workmanlike 2-0 victory away against local rivals Fulham, included a goal apiece from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and was indicative of Ancelotti's highly effective brand of football. Over at Anfield, questions were already being asked of Liverpool's title credentials after going down 3-1 to Aston Villa
Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

29 August 2009 – The first meeting between top four sides took place at Old Trafford, where Manchester United, having recovered from defeat at Burnley with a 5-0 away win at Wigan, considered themselves fortunate to come away with a 2-1 win against Arsenal. A Wayne Rooney penalty, and an absurd own goal from Abou Diaby did for Arsène Wenger's side, who had been the better team and took a first-half lead thanks to a wonderful 20-yard strike from Andrey Arshavin
Photograph: Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images

12 September 2009 – Manchester United's city rivals inflicted further damage on Arsenal after the international break in a fractious match at Eastlands, in which three second-half goals from Manchester City sealed a 4-2 victory. But the talk after the game was of Emmanuel Adebayor's stamp on Robin van Persie's face and his provocative celebration in front of his former club's fans after his 80th-minute goal
Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

20 September 2009 – Manchester City's unbeaten run came to an end in a highly-charged match at Old Trafford which looked to be heading for a draw after Craig Bellamy's 90th-minute equaliser. But after four minutes of injury-time were signalled City's fans' whistles became ever more shrill as the clock ticked well past 95 minutes before Michael Owen, on as a second-half substitute, prodded home Ryan Giggs's cross to delight Sir Alex Ferguson and send the City manager, Mark Hughes, into a rage
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

26 September 2009 – Carlo Ancelotti saw Chelsea's 100% record unravel at the DW Stadium. The Wigan manager, Roberto Martínez, had called for his players to 'create history' by beating a top four side for the first time. A Titus Bramble goal got Wigan off to a great start before Didier Drogba's equaliser, but then, in the second-half, Petr Cech conceded a penalty and was sent off for bringing down Hugo Rodallega, who got to his feet to convert. Paul Scharner made it 3-1 with an injury-time goal as Chelsea's 10 men stretched themselves in search of a point
Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

4 October 2009 – If the Wigan defeat had been damaging to Chelsea's confidence you wouldn't have known, as Carlo Ancelotti's side produced a gritty display at home to inflict the third defeat of the season on Liverpool in a finely-balanced match that swung Chelsea's way when Didier Drogba set up Nicolas Anelka in the 60th minute to give the Blues the lead. Florent Malouda finished the job in injury time to make the score 2-0 and keep Chelsea at the top, two points clear of United
Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

17 October 2009 – Top spot would not be Chelsea's for long, as another international break led to a sluggish display at Aston Villa, where Chelsea's defence failed to deal with two set pieces which led to goals for Richard Dunne and James Collins. Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, an own goal from Zat Knight coupled with Antonio Valencia's first goal for Manchester United gave the champions a 2-1 victory against Bolton, taking them to the top of the table for the first time
Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

25 October 2009 – Rafael Benítez was under intense pressure as Liverpool entered the match against Manchester United at Anfield on the back of the club's worst sequence of results since 1987. An unfortunate goal, deflected off a beach ball, at Sunderland prompted much mockery among the United fans, but they would be silenced in the 65th minute by a world class finish from Fernando Torres, who, nursing a groin injury, still outpaced Rio Ferdinand to slam home Liverpool's first. Without Steven Gerrard in midfield the much-maligned Lucas raised his game and created the second for David Ngog to make the score 2-0 and end United's one-week stay at the top
Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

31 October 2009 – Tottenham's long wait for an away win against one of the top four sides would continue after the first north London derby. There had been much talk of Spurs changing the balance of power in north London in the build-up to this match with both sides level on 19 points in joint-fourth place. But any bold claims from Spurs were emphatically swept aside by two goals from Robin van Persie either side of Cesc Fábregas's strike
Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images

8 November 2009 – It was advantage to the Blues after the first Premier League clash of the season between Chelsea and Manchester United. A cagey match at Stamford Bridge was decided by a solitary goal from Chelsea's captain, John Terry, who leapt above United's defence in the 76th minute to ensure a 10th straight home victory and a five-point lead over Arsenal and Manchester United in joint-second place
Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

21 November – Chelsea continued their winning streak, ripping Wolves apart with three goals in the opening 22 minutes, to lay the foundations for a comfortable 4-0 victory. Meanwhile, Darren Bent dented Arsenal's title challenge with a late goal at Sunderland, condemning the London club to their first league defeat in 14 matches. United's late kick-off against Everton saw them dominate the Merseysiders in an emphatic 3-0 win, wiping away the memory of Stamford Bridge and keeping them in touching distance of leaders Chelsea
Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

29 November – Clash of the titans on Super Sunday as Arsenal entertained Chelsea at The Emirates, but it was the west London club that provided all the goals. Drogba fired in twice to earn a convincing 3-0 win to to leave Arsenal 11 points off the pace and in danger of being consumed in the battle for fourth
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

5 December – The first cracks in the Chelsea ship were evident here, as Man City secured a vital 2-1 win over the Premier League leaders. At Upton Park, United stamped out West Ham's bubbles and left them them in relegation worries with a comfortable 4-0 win
Photograph: Andrew Winning/Reuters

13 December – Arsenal's second-half comeback at Anfield, completed by an Arshavin stunner, kept alive their faint title hopes. The day before, Chelsea's inability to deal with set pieces gifted Everton a draw at Stamford Bridge as three times they failed to clear their lines from free-kicks in an entertaining 3-3 draw. But, Manchester United failed to capitalise on the dropped points, with a surprising 1-0 defeat to Villa
Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

19 December – An injury plagued United – Michael Carrick is forced to play in defence – suffered a setback at Craven Cottage as a Bobby Zamora inspired Fulham thrashed the visitors 3-0. The next day Chelsea once again failed to seize the advantage as they are held to a 1-1 draw at Upton Park
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

26 December – Once again Chelsea were held – this time to in-form Birmingham City. This goalless draw pushed Chelsea five points clear at the top, but the wagon had started to wobble. United and Arsenal closed the gap with easy victories the following day
Photograph: Scott Heavey/Action Images

30 December – An emphatic 5-0 win over Wigan Athletic left United just two points adrift of leaders Chelsea. Arsenal were just as impressive at Fratton Park as a 4-1 win left Pompey in deep relegation trouble
Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

9 January – Darren Fletcher's dismissal for a second bookable offence capped a torrid visit to Birmingham City as United were held 1-1. Meanwhile in London, a stoppage time equaliser from Rosicky rescued Arsenal at the death in a 2-2 draw with Everton. Before the game, Wenger has urged his side to maintain the momentum that had dragged them right back into the title race. Chelsea are now on 45 points, followed by United on 44 and Arsenal on 42
Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

16 January – Chelsea maintained their slender lead at the summit by beating Sunderland 7-2 victory, a result that silenced those who felt the African Nations would dampen Chelsea's title run-in. Arsenal continue their good form with a 2-0 win over Bolton
Photograph: Tony Marshall/Empics Sport

20 January – Arsenal go top after overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2 against Bolton. United beat Hull a few days later to take the lead off Arsenal. Chelsea are level on points with Arsenal and two behind United, with a game in hand
Photograph: Lindsey Parnaby/EPA

27 January – Arsenal are denied victory at Villa Park and twice hit the post in a 0-0 stalemate. Meanwhile, Chelsea end Birmingham's 15 match unbeaten run with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Florent Malouda was on the scoreboard within five minutes and a Frank Lampard double secured the points and shifted Chelsea back to the summit
Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

30 January – John Terry left his off-field problems in the changing room, scoring a late winner eight minutes from time against Burnley. The next day, United sweep Arsenal aside to bring the Gunners' title credentials into question
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

7 February 2010 – Manchester United temporarily go top, after a five-goal rout over Portsmouth on Saturday. But a first-half Didier Drogba double, against fellow title-chasers Arsenal, sees Chelsea regain top spot. The win extended Chelsea's unbeaten run at home to 35 in all competitions
1 Chelsea 58 pts
2 Manchester United 56
3 Arsenal 49
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

10 February 2010 – As both Chelsea and Manchester United slip up on the road, Arsenal get their assault on the title back on track, closing the gap on the top two after edging Liverpool at the Emirates
1 Chelsea 58 pts
2 Manchester United 57
3 Arsenal 52
Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Action Images

20 February 2010 – Just a week after toppling Chelsea, Everton upset Manchester United's title bid. After Dimitar Berbatov gave United the lead, it took just three minutes for Everton to equalise, when Diniyar Bilyaletdinov struck a left-footed shot past Edwin Van der Sar. Everton remained in the driving seat and scored two further goals, through Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell
1 Chelsea 61 pts
2 Manchester United 57
3 Arsenal 55
Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

28 February 2010 – Following an easy mid-week win for Manchester United over West Ham, Chelsea are comprehensively beaten by Manchester City. In the wake of the John Terry scandal, the game was billed as the Terry versus Wayne Bridge showdown. Bridge snubbed Terry's outstretched hand before kick-off and got the last laugh with his side coming out 4-2 winners. The win was City's first win at Stamford Bridge in 17 years
1 Chelsea 61 pts
2 Manchester United 60
3 Arsenal 58
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

6 March 2010 – Manchester United climb to the top of the league thanks to Paul Scholes's 100th Premier League goal, in a dour affair at Molineux. Meanwhile Arsenal draw level on points with Chelsea after a 3-1 home win against Burnley. Chelsea do not play and have a game in hand
1 Manchester United 63 pts
2 Chelsea 61
3 Arsenal 61
Photograph: Stephen Pond/Empics Sport

14 March 2010 – Chelsea temporarily leap-frog Manchester United with a 4-1 win over West Ham on the Saturday but United are restored to the top of the table thanks to a 3-0 win against mid-table Fulham. The Wayne Rooney show continues and he grabs two goals to avenge the 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in December
1 Manchester United 66 pts
2 Chelsea 64
3 Arsenal 64
Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

21 March 2010 – Arsenal's stay at the top of the pile was short lived as the champions edge out Liverpool in a tense affair at Old Trafford the next day. Fernando Torres struck after just five minutes. United equalised swiftly, through Wayne Rooney, and Park Ji-Sung sealed the win in the 60th minute. With seven games left for United their nearest rivals, Arsenal, were two points adrift. Chelsea still have a game in hand though
1 Manchester United 69 pts
2 Arsenal 67
3 Chelsea 65
Photograph: Neal Simpson/Empics Sport

24 March 2010 – Chelsea win their game in hand as they beat Portsmouth 5-0. They are now just one point behind United
1 Manchester United 69 pts
2 Chelsea 68
3 Arsenal 67
Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

27 March 2010 – Chelsea make it 12 goals in two games with a stunning 7-1 win over Aston Villa. Frank Lampard is in sensational form, scoring four goals, taking him to 20 goals for the sixth consecutive season. Next up is the trip to Old Trafford
1 Manchester United 72 pts
2 Chelsea 71
3 Arsenal 68
Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

3 April 2010 – In a battle of the heavyweights at Old Trafford, Chelsea came out on top and make a huge step toward the title. Joe Cole's subtle back-heel flick, fires Chelsea into the lead and Didier Drogba scored a controversial second, after appearing to be offside. With just five games remaining only three points separate the top-four
1 Chelsea 74 pts
2 Manchester United 72
3 Arsenal 71
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

13 April 2010 – Chelsea take full advantage of Manchester United's goalless draw at Ewood Park to extend their lead in the title race to four-points, thanks to a 1-0 triumph over Bolton Wanderers. The next day Arsenal lose the north London derby to Spurs, effectively ending their title hopes
1 Chelsea 77 pts
2 Manchester United 73
3 Arsenal 71
Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

17 April 2010 – Spurs continued their impressive form in another London derby coming out 2-1 winners over Chelsea at White Hart Lane to throw the title race wide open. The loss cut Chelsea's lead to a one point margin
1 Chelsea 77 pts
2 Manchester United 76
3 Arsenal 71
Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

24 April 2010 – Tottenham Hotspur fail to make it three wins over the top three on the bounce, falling to a 3-1 loss at Old Trafford. United are awarded two penalties and Ryan Giggs delivers on both occasions. The win sees United haul themselves back to the summit with Chelsea playing the following afternoon
1 Manchester United 79 pts
2 Chelsea 77
3 Arsenal 72
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

25 April 2010 – United's stay at the summit of English football is short-lived, as Chelsea score seven in a game for the third time this season. A Salomon Kalou hat-trick helps Chelsea on their way to the 7-0 thumping of Stoke City. The win restores Chelsea's one point lead but, perhaps crucially, extends their goal difference advantage to eight
1 Chelsea 80 pts
2 Manchester United 79
3 Arsenal 72
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

2 May 2010 - United hope Liverpool will do them a favour by beating Chelsea at Anfield, but Ancelotti's side win 2-0. United take the title race to the last day of the season by beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
1 Chelsea 83pts
2 Manchester United 82
3 Arsenal 72
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

9 May 2010 - On the final day of the season, Frank Lampard scores Chelsea's second goal against Wigan from the penalty spot as the Blues cruise towards an 8-0 victory that wraps up the title
Photograph: Henry Browne/Action Images

9 May 2010 - Wayne Rooney looks dejected as Manchester United's 4-0 victory over Stoke is in vain
Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

9 May 2010 - John Terry lifts the trophy for Chelsea as they are crowned champions of England
Final standings:
1 Chelsea 86pts
2 Manchester United 85
3 Arsenal 75 Photograph: guardian.co.uk