Manchester United did just enough to level points with Manchester City at the top of the table, ensuring the title will be decided on the final day of the season after defeating Swansea by 2-0 at the Old Trafford. 

The home side started the game with a high tempo looking to close the gap with league leaders Manchester City, who earlier defeated Newcastle by 2-0 at the Sports Direct Arena. Goals came from Paul Scholes and Ashley Young in the first half sealed the tie for the home side. 

Sir Alex Ferguson made few changes from the side that lost to City in their last league match. Young, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez were recalled in place of Nani, Ryan Giggs and Park Ji Sung. 

The game began at a frantic pace, but neither side could create clear cut chances with conviction. United struggled to find the fluency while the visitors worked hard off the ball and were comfortable when in possession.

Michel Vorm made a smart double save in the 21st minute, first saving Patrice Evra's angled volley followed up with Wayne Rooney's shot which he turned behind for corner.

In the 27th minute Scholes gave United the lead, when a deft kick from the veteran found the back of the net after Michael Carrick unmarked 12 yards out scuffed his effort into the ground.

United extended their lead through Young, who looked up and curled a low effort inside the box past the outstretched fingertips of Vorm and into the bottom right-hand corner to hand the hosts a two-goal lead.

Manchester United created the best opportunity in the second half when Rooney and Valencia exchanged one-two among themselves, and the Englishman tried to feed a finely threaded pass to Ashley Young who was arriving at the far post, only to be cleared by industrious Nathan Dyer with a slide.

Hernandez came close to open his account of the day when he wriggled free from his marker meeting Valencia’s cross but the Mexican headed over the bar.

Minutes later the Swans had a golden opportunity to put one back, but Danny Graham’s deflected shot was somehow clutched into the chest of David De Gea.

Dyer got himself into acres of space in the Red Devils’ penalty area; he twisted and turned brilliantly but couldn’t keep his shot on target. 

Gylfi Sigurdsson tried to bend the ball from a free kick just outside the penalty area, but De Gea was equal to the task, parried the ball with great aplomb.

Rooney missed a sitter when Valencia found Carrick outside Swansea penalty area; sliced a through pass to Rooney who had only Vorm to beat, but his shot strayed wide of target. 

With only 10 minutes remaining from normal time, Phil Jones met a free header from Young's cross, but could only find the safe hands of the Swansea keeper.

In the end Manchester United did just enough. Sir Alex Ferguson can only hope for a miracle in the final day of the season, otherwise they will end the campaign empty handed.

Newcastle

Tim Krul - 8/10

Continued his great season by having a fantastic game for the Magpies. Made some great saves to deny Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. Also the Dutchman shouldn’t feel bad for conceding twice, Yaya Toure two scored superb goals to take all three points.

James Perch - 6/10

Did quite well, like the rest of the back-four, before he was substituted.

Mike Williamson 7/10

Stood strong in the centre of defence, but the quick City forwards of Tevez, Aguero and Silva all looked quicker than the former Portsmouth man.

Fabricio Coloccini - 7/10

Defended well for the majority of the game before conceding two great goals. 

Davide Santon - 7/10

Looked dangerous pushing forward with his pace and also did his defensive job.

Cheick Tiote - 6/10

Was brave to play after being stretchered off against Chelsea during the week. Was booked and looked likely to be sent off, hence why was substituted.

Jonas Gutierrez – 6/10

The Argentine, in his new position of central midfield, wasn’t involved as Alan Pardew would have liked but did work his socks off.

Hatem Ben Arfa - 8/10

Had a fantastic game, as the Frenchman weaved in and out from the right and placed some good balls into the box. Did however look a little suspect while defending.

Yohan Cabaye – 6/10

Like Gutierrez wasn’t involved as in the past, but City did control the majority of the possession.

Demba Ba - 6.5/10

Had a decent game up front, but the half chances he did have were not taken.

Papiss Cisse – 5/10

Unlike the previous games, Cisse was quiet and couldn’t get involved as in the past.

Substitutes:

Shane Ferguson – 6.5/10

Looked lively as the youngster showed some great pace down the left wing, however was booked for silly challenge.

Shola Ameobi - 6/10

Did have a great chance, but Micah Richards made a brilliant block. However the Nigerian born forward did provide a strong presence.

Ryan Taylor – N/A

Came on late and failed to make an impact. 

Manchester City

Joe Hart – 7.5/10

Well called upon, the Englishman did well, made a couple good, late saves to withstand the Newcastle pressure, definitely England’s best current goalkeeper.

Pablo Zabaleta - 6/10

Didn’t have the same effect as the Argentine has had recently down the right.

Gael Clichy – 7.5/10

Had a good game down the left which included a nice pass to assist Toure’s second goal.

Vincent Kompany - 7/10

Continued his great season in centre of defence and kept Cisse quiet and dealt with Ba and Ameobi.

Joleon Lescott - 7/10

Like Kompany, the Englishman dealt with the Toon forwards and should be highly considered for a place in the Euros.

Gareth Barry - 6/10

Had two great chances inside a minute, but the former Aston Villa midfielder’s job isn’t to score, it’s to win the ball back. He did that well. In addition received a customary yellow card.

Yaya Toure - 9/10

The clear man of the match. The Ivorian scored two brilliant goals with perfect placement. Started in a deeper role, but was unleashed forward to score the much needed goals.

Samir Nasri – 5.5/10

Other than having a couple efforts blocked, wasn’t involved.

David Silva – 7.5/10

Was at his normal self, causing problems for the Toon defence. Was deadly on set-pieces and the Spaniard’s quick feet forced the Newcastle defenders to hesitate on a number of times.

Sergio Aguero - 5/10

Had a poor game for normally a lethal forward. The Argentine had one golden chance but somehow fired wide. Before that, he had did well to cut in from the left and did force Krul to pull out a save.

Carlos Tevez - 6/10

Had a decent game, was involved but couldn’t take his half chances. Tested Krul on a couple occasions, but more is expected for the Argentine.

Substitutes:

Edin Dzeko – N/A

Wasn’t involved much after coming on, but did slice an effort well wide.

Micah Richards – 7/10

Made a late last ditched effort to deny Ameobi, but other than that, wasn’t involved in the few minutes that he was on for.

Nigel De Jong – 6.5/10

Come on for Nasri to push Toure forward, which was a great move. Also did well to deal with the jeering from the Toon crowd after a history with Ben Arfa.

SoccerAnchor's Saikat Mandal examines the five key observations to take from Manchester City's crunch win at Newcastle..

Mancini was just beginning to look worried. Newcastle, not only resolute but they had their chances of their own. The Argentine duo upfront did well but not well enough to break the Magpies defence. He needed to do something as time was running out. 

Mancini tinkered with his formation, introduced Nigel De Jong and Eden Dzeko in the scene. Yaya Toure did the rest. His curling shot past Krul left the City supporters in pandemonium. Smiles and hugs shared all over the blue segment of the stadia, few cried out of joy.

When Toure found the net again, it was all over. The Citizens breathed huge sigh of relief as they inched closer to title – the League trophy which they craved for 44 long years.

1. The game was lively from the onset: Both the teams had their own missions to fulfill. Kompany and Coloccini took control of defence for their respective teams while Tiote and Cabaye marshalling the midfield with great aplomb. Demba Ba had the best chance to put Castle upfront but Lescott blocked his shot and Joe Hart saved the rebound from Ben Arfa.

2. Change of Tactics: Mancini took Nasri off and introduced De Jong in place. As a result, Barry and De Jong could get hold of the midfield and allowed Yaya Toure to play in a bit higher position. The former Barcelona man was dangerous with his forward runs and which ultimately made all the difference.

3. Yaya Toure: The match was all about Yaya Toure. The Ivorian was sensational to say the least. His energy, guile, brilliance, bursting runs created panic in the Newcastle heart. Both the goals came from intelligent moves involving Aguero and him. Though the Argentine didn’t score but his link up play with Toure was vital. For the first goal, his lay off left Toure with space and the goal, but the solo effort of curling the ball past Krul was top drawer.

4. Missed chances: Well, these types of games are settled by one or two chances. Leading by a solitary goal with 30-odd minutes left to play is always a risky affair. Had Cisse’s header gone in, the complexion of the game could have been different. However, Toure broke Newcastle’s heart again late on, when he slotted home from close range, and again Aguero the architect.

5. What it means to the title race: The victory puts the Citizens one step closer to the title. Manchester United could only close the gap tonight and make sure that their noisy neighbors drop points in the last game. But, it puts immense pressure on the Red Devils, as a draw late on against Swansea would leave their hopes fading away like a strong gust of wind.  

Follow Saikat Mandal on twitter @SMandal87

The away side enjoyed long the majority of the possession in the opening stages of this game with their midfielders working extremely hard to keep the ball.

Despite West Brom’s first half dominance Bolton took the lead after 24 minutes when Martin Petrov dispatched the penalty following Keith Andrews foul on Mark Davies.

Bolton took a 1-0 advantage into half-time.

The second half took a while to get going as the game kept being broken up fouls and players needing treatment.

West Brom once again controlled possession but other than set pieces they struggled to pose a real threat to Adam Bogdan’s goal.

Bolton Wanderers seemed to have taken a huge step to Premier League survival when Baggies full-back Billy Jones turned the ball into his own net on 72 minutes.

However Chris Brunts low strike with just 15 minutes to go ensured a nervy finish at the Reebok.

It was inevitable that West Brom would pile on the pressure late in this game and that pressure played dividends as James Morrison equalised for the Midlands side with just moments to go.

Bolton will now need a victory at Stoke on the final day and hope that other results go their way if they are to retain their Premier League status.