Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea:Manchester United won the Premiership for the first time in four years today as 10-man Chelsea, needing victory to keep the title race alive, could only draw 1-1 at Arsenal.

The result, coming a day after United beat Manchester City 1-0, left Alex Ferguson's side seven points clear of Chelsea with two games remaining.

Arsenal led with a 43rd-minute Gilberto penalty after Chelsea centre back Khalid Boulahrouz brought down Julio Baptista and was sent off.

Michael Essien's glancing header with 20 minutes remaining gave Chelsea hope and led to a furious late assault.

However, they were unable to find the second goal and now instead of Wednesday's Stamford Bridge meeting with United being a title decider it will become merely a handover ceremony.

The draw leaves Arsenal level with third-placed Liverpool on 67 points but behind on goal difference. Both sides are already assured of a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League.

Chelsea, who beat Arsenal 2-1 in a stormy League Cup final in February, had beaten them away in the league only once in 17 years while the Gunners had suffered only one league defeat at the Emirates Stadium this season, to West Ham United.