LONDON -- Manchester United won its 10th Premier League title in 16 years and second in a row by beating Wigan 2-0 Sunday on the final day of the season.
Chelsea, which went into its final game even on points with United but way behind on goal difference, was held to a 1-1 draw by Bolton and wound up two points behind in an anticlimactic finish.
While Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated his 21st trophy in 22 years at Old Trafford, Chelsea finished runner-up for the second straight season. But the team will get a chance to bounce back when it plays United in the Champions League final on May 21 in Moscow.
Calgary-born England international midfielder Owen Hargreaves came on in the 67th minute for Manchester United to add an English title to the ones he won in Germany with Bayern Munich.
Lower down the standings, third-place Arsenal, despite its five-point lead in February and attractive style of play, failed to win a trophy for the third season in a row. Fourth-place Liverpool still aren't close to winning a first league title since 1990 after finishing 11 points behind.
United won with 87 points and Chelsea had 85, which was still the closest finish since United edged Arsenal by one point in 1999.
Now, 17-time English champion United is chasing Liverpool's all-time record of 18 league titles.
"I think it will come," said Ferguson. "This team is developing all the time. It's a good young team and there's plenty of years left in them."
Ryan Giggs equaled Bobby Charlton's appearance record for Manchester United, and earned his 10th Premier League winner's medal by scoring in the victory over Wigan. Cristiano Ronaldo had the other tally in the match.
Charlton, who has held the record of 758 appearances for 35 years, was the first to praise the Wales winger after the game.
"He's fantastic," the 70-year-old Charlton said. "He's a great athlete, a great person, a great footballer and nobody deserves to break records like he does.
"His record with Manchester United is unbelievable and I'm really proud of him."
Giggs, whose contract runs until next June, is the most decorated player in the club's history. In addition to his 10 league titles, he has steered United to four FA Cup titles, two League Cups and the 1999 Champions League title.
If he plays in next week's Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow, he will eclipse Charlton's appearance record.
The 34-year-old Giggs scored the 144th goal of his United career, which stretches back to 1991, in the 80th minute Sunday.
-- The Associated Press
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