Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions today in one of the most exciting season finales for several years.

The outcome of the title and battle to avoid relegation were all decided in a scintillating afternoon of football.

Fulham beat the odds to survive while Birmingham City and Reading dropped through the trapdoor into the Championship despite both sides recording victories.

A goal from Red Devils veteran Ryan Giggs helped Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side scoop their 17th title with a 2-0 victory away at Wigan Athletic.

United are now only one win behind Liverpool's record of 18 league titles although the Merseyside outfit have not been crowned champions since the 1989/90 season.

United started the afternoon on level pegging with their nearest title rivals Chelsea.

But the expensively assembled Londoners stuttered to a draw at home to Bolton.

The duo will renew hostilities in the coming weeks when they go head-to-head in the Champions League final in Moscow.

Fulham achieved an unlikely escape from relegation with a fantastic 1-0 away victory at FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.

Despite thrashing Blackburn 4-1, Birmingham's win was not enough to see them safe.

Reading dropped back into the Championship despite overcoming already relegated Derby with a 4-0 away win.

The blue half of Liverpool will be celebrating tonight after Everton beat Newcastle 3-1 to secure a fifth place finish.

The win means David Moyes side have secured European football for the third time in four seasons.

Aston Villa could have taken advantage of an Everton slip-up to to gain fifth place but failed to defeat West Ham slipping to a 2-2 draw at Upton Park.