Debate: Did Manchester United Just Win The Premier League?

A draw at Stamford Bridge and a huge win at Old Trafford this evening has put the champions three points clear at the top with a game in hand and just six left to play.

Everton, the scourge of the Red Devils just three days ago when knocking them out of the FA Cup on penalties, did them a small favour this evening by holding Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, ensuring they stay on just 68 points, three behind Liverpool on 71, who are a further three behind United, who have yet a game in hand to play.

The strength of opposition each side have to face in the run-in isn't all that distinguishable, and with the reigning champions having already negotiated their wobble, including the loss of their quintuple hopes, all the smart money would be on them claiming their third successive Premier League title.

Chelsea, for all their improvement under Hiddink, are still lacking a degree of variation and creativity for when teams, like Everton, are prepared to sit back and play on the counterattack.

This is where a Ballack in his prime - or a Ballack allowed more offensive freedom - could be more useful than Frank Lampard, for instance. Alternatively - and this is the most likely solution Chelsea will adopt in the summer - they could recruit more quality wide players. Bearing in mind they have yet to welcome back Joe Cole from his season-ending injury, that Salomon Kalou is always improving and even Florent Malouda is beginning to finally recreate some of his Lyon form, there is still a special someone missing to provide a spark as Damien Duff and Arjen Robben did when at their peak,

United, meanwhile, are looking like a team rediscovering their unremarkable, rock-steady approach to the weekly grind of the Premier League. Vidic and Ferdinand being reunited at the back has proven essential, after the former suffered a crisis of confidence following his capitulation against Liverpool. The United back line had previously been able to negotiate its way to a clean sheet regardless of the personnel, but the slump changed all that. They needed the A-Team back together and they've got them.

Carrick is rediscovering some form and Anderson's presence in the side cannot be underestimated. He surely must become one of the first names on the team sheet sooner rather than later.

The Red Devils managed to go through the motions and still outplay Portsmouth for the majority of the 90 minutes. Liverpool being held by Arsenal in last night's eight-goal thriller will no doubt have boosted the morale and confidence of Sir Alex's men going into tonight's game and looks to have signalled the beginning of the end of the Premier League title race for another year.