A 17th league title for Manchester United, a club record-equalling 758th appearance for Ryan Giggs and the 41st goal of the campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo; but let no-one suggest the final day of the Premiership season was a predictable affair.

What with thunder and lightning, tears and recriminations, hospital dashes and poignant farewells, it was as dramatic as it comes.

Who could have envisaged Reading and Birmingham City responding to their precarious predicament with four goals apiece, only to be shunted back into the Championship by Danny Murphy's late winner for Fulham at Portsmouth?

And what mischief was afoot on Teesside where Manchester City suffered the biggest defeat of the season?

Top of the Fair Play league and virtually guaranteed a berth in the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, City lost Richard Dunne to a red card within minutes. Eight goals were then shipped by a side as dismayed as their fans by the imminent departure of Sven Goran Eriksson. Coincidence?

If the integrity of the Premier League is not up for negotiation - Bolton, Wigan and Portsmouth all showing character and dogged resistance in exceptional circumstances - Chelsea's subdued performance required some explanation. Didier Drogba's West End swansong was nothing to write home about. Andriy Shevchenko's face-saving goal was steeped in irony.

With Stamford Bridge packed to the rafters praying for United to come a cropper at Wigan, the last thing under-siege Chelsea manager Avram Grant needed was a lame draw with Bolton and another freak injury to John Terry, his captain. Yet a 10th-minute collision with Petr Cech saw Terry dislocate an elbow and Bolton equalise in stoppage time through Matthew Taylor.

Watching the drama unfold in the stands, Roman Abramovich looked every bit as underwhelmed by the display as his fellow spectators. While Terry returned from hospital in a positive frame of mind, insisting he would be fit for the European Cup final, Grant's problems are mounting. The Israeli has 10 days to persuade his squad to put personal agendas to one side and unite ahead of the Moscow showdown with Ferguson's champions. On this evidence it is a tall order.

Because United are now on a glorious, double-chasing roll. One of the most engaging sights of the season was surely an exultant Ferguson forgetting his 66 years and leaping into the arms of his assistant Carlos Queiroz at the final whistle. Familiarity with a trophy he has raised 10 times during his Old Trafford reign has not bred contempt. On the contrary.

Like Giggs, who equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record, marking the occasion with a goal, success has neither diminished Ferguson's appetite nor dampened his ardour. Six years ago, the Scot toyed with retirement. In the pouring rain yesterday, he celebrated his charmed life with all the enthusiasm of a teenager.

If referee Steve Bennett did seem uncommonly kind to the visitors in the first half, by denying Wigan a penalty and refusing to show a second yellow card to Paul Scholes, United needed no act of charity in the second period.

Against a side who arguably cost Chelsea the title, courtesy of Emile Heskey's stoppage- time equaliser last month, United's defence held firm.

A back four including Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have conceded just 22 goals in the league this season, a club record. Reading and Birmingham City, yesterday's relegation casualties, have leaked 128 between them. In the circumstances, neither side can have too many regrets despite their final hurrah.

For Reading, a first goal in nearly 10 hours of football was something to behold, let alone four. But against already relegated Derby, it was too little, too late for a side that excelled in their debut season in the top flight, only to come a painful cropper at the second time of asking.

Whether Coppell has the stomach for another Championship ordeal is another matter.

For Alex McLeish, who inherited a Birmingham side already entrenched in the mire, the drop will come as no real surprise. Predecessor Steve Bruce survived a similar spell in the lower division and returned stronger. The former Scotland and Rangers manager will be hoping for a similar response. The 4-1 win over Blackburn was the right note on which to leave the Premiership party.

But as for great escapes, few can boast the audacity of Roy Hodgson's Fulham. Two weeks ago, mid-game, Mohammed Al Fayed's club seemed destined for the drop, 2-0 down as they were against Manchester City and with Bolton leading Tottenham. Then came the dramatic turnaround. Fulham have not looked back.

A third consecutive away win at Portsmouth yesterday, making it four wins in five, lifted the London side clear of the drop zone with minutes left on the clock. Murphy assumed the role of hero with his 76th-minute winner at Fratton Park but it is Hodgson who will take most credit, along with an alleged £1m bonus for keeping the club in the top flight.

It remains to be seen what David Moyes will receive for steering Everton back into Europe for the second season in succession.

While a win over Newcastle United secured a UEFA Cup berth ahead of Aston Villa, Moyes has upset chairman Bill Kenwright with his comments alluding to his future and a lack of funds.