Almost, but not quite.

Sunday's victory over Liverpool - in his own words 'the game that excites me most' - ruled the Merseysiders out of the Premier League title race.

Then, 20 minutes before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, Ferguson was asked what he wanted. A draw, he replied.

Didier Drogba's late winner annoyed both Arsenal and the United manager.

But it leaves the Scot in a dominant position to retain the title.

His side have a five-point lead, with Arsenal a further point adrift of Chelsea. Liverpool's 14-point gap to the champions represents a gaping chasm.

And United's goal difference, already 17 better than Chelsea's, is effectively worth another point, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo's ravenous appetite for strikes against the lesser lights meaning it is likely to increase.

It leaves the other two title contenders relying on beating United to overhaul them. Arsenal have the first opportunity, at Old Trafford on April 13.

Their problem? It comes at the end of a gruelling fortnight when they meet Liverpool three times.

So tough is their fixture list that Saturday's visit to their usual b�tes noire at Bolton is actually the easiest game in the next month.

Back-to-back games against Liverpool - on April 5 - and Manchester United are awkward at any time.

When they are struggling to regain their fluency, Emmanuel Adebayor's goal touch deserting him and Robin van Persie has yet to recapture full fitness, they could prove all but impossible.

And the likelihood is that Arsenal, beaten 0-4 on their last trip to United, will either be deflated from a Champions League exit or focusing on Europe when they next meet.

Defeat at Old Trafford and three should become two.

Chelsea may be harder for United to shrug off. Theirs is the easiest run-in, with four home games, while Arsenal and United each have only three.

Moreover, having the simplest Champions League quarter-final - against Fenerbahce - may enable the Blues to concentrate on their domestic challenge.

Also, Drogba's double has marked a timely return to form while Joe Cole is peaking when it matters most.

The downside is that defensive frailties need to be remedied.

Uncharacteristically, they have leaked five goals in their last two games and, unusually, four have come from set- pieces.

And while, United aside, their home games are simple enough, stiffer tests of their title credentials await on their travels. Manchester City, their hosts on April 5, can be a byword for unpredictability, so anything could happen.

Still more significant is a trip to Everton a fortnight later.

As it may represent the final opportunity to challenge for a Champions League place for David Moyes' team, Goodison Park should present a still more intimidating atmosphere than usual.

Overcoming Arsenal on Sunday has helped shed Avram Grant's image for failing to win the big games. Successive matches against Everton and Manchester United might change that again.

Especially as United are not likely to need to win at Stamford Bridge, with only the April 19 trip to Blackburn possibly presenting a problem in the meantime.

While they rarely play for a draw, Ferguson has shown he is willing to pack the midfield and sacrifice Carlos Tevez in Champions League matches.

That Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic constitute the Premier League's most dependable defensive partnership should stand United in good stead to frustrate Chelsea.

So the title could be effectively secured at Stamford Bridge on April 26 and mathematically decided either then or in their penultimate match when West Ham visit Old Trafford on May 3.

And that could permit their normal post-title surprise defeat. West Ham were the surprise beneficiaries last season and relegation-threatened Wigan, managed by Ferguson's former captain Steve Bruce, could emulate them on the final day of the campaign.

As for Liverpool, their next match is their biggest remaining Premier League game for two reasons.

A Mersey derby is always of immense importance but beat Everton and their lead in fourth place stretches to five points, again with a vastly superior goal difference.

With a trip to Tottenham on the final day, they will want a guarantee of Champions League football before then.

They, like United, should be able to relax in the last game while Chelsea and Arsenal battle it out for second place.

stsports@sph.com.sg