It was until the 73rd minute when Wayne Rooney converted a penalty to cancel out Brett Emerton’s opener for the home side.

The point gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s team an unassailable seven-point lead over closest rivals Chelsea, two weeks before the end of the competition.

It is the 12th title for Ferguson, who still have a chance to do the double when his side face Spanish champions Barcelona at Wembley this month.

"It's not easy, this league - as they'll find out. We've dropped points to Blackburn, West Brom, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle and Bolton. That's an indication of how tough the league is," the Scottish coach said.

"It was a big challenge. In the 80s, it was Liverpool's time. But when I came down, I never thought we could achieve what we've achieved, but getting that first one (in 1993) opened the doors.

"The success has carried on and, in fairness to the club, all the players who come here know they have to win."