Blue Moon Rising

City captain Carlos Tevez lifts the FA Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke at Wembley

Manchester City 1-0 Stoke

When Sheikh Mansour took control of the reins at Manchester City in August 2008, it seemed a matter of when the club would win a trophy rather than if.

And at Wembley on Saturday, 35 long years of hurt for City fans came to an end when Yaya Toure wrote his name in history to seal a 1-0 victory over Stoke in the FA Cup final.

It wasn't a game that will live long in the memory for quality and excitement but the occasion and sense of triumph is something City fans will never forget.

They say your first trophy is the most difficult one to win. After all, it took Sir Alex Ferguson four years to win his first major trophy at Manchester United.

As Roberto Mancini said in his post-match interview, managers at the highest level do not get that much time to deliver success any more but even so he should be given enormous credit for delivering a trophy within 17 months of taking charge.

He may have spent in the region of £150million since taking charge, but he deserves praise regardless for the way he has defied the critics and overcome adversity to deliver success.

He has been criticised many times this season - at times deservedly - for his defensive style of football and natural cautiousness, but City fans adore him because he has finally ended the trophy drought.

The '35 years' banner at Old Trafford representing how long City had gone without a trophy can now be ripped from the Stretford End and consigned to the history books.

City fans will still be ridiculed by their rivals for their 'lack of history' and because they have 'bought success', but the truth is City are now a real force and not merely 'noisy neighbours' that can be swept aside.

City fans revelled as their 35-year wait for a trophy came to an end

City are one of just a handful of clubs whose fans have stuck with them despite a lack of trophies - Newcastle is another example of this - and that fanbase deserves this trophy. Too long they have lived in the shadows and now is their moment in the limelight.

There were fears City's triumph may have been overshadowed by Manchester United's title win in the early kick-off at Blackburn, but the level of love and respect for the FA Cup is clear to see as fans have battled to ensure it is given the recognition it deserves.

The anger many have shown at Premier League games being played on FA Cup final Saturday shows the cup is still at the forefront of peoples' minds and not a meaningless add-on.

It was a pity for the occasion that the game did not live up to its promise and Stoke did not really turn up on the day.

Both sides seemed scared to lose and scared to concede, with Stoke seemingly lost in the occasion. They did battle hard and never gave up but they will always live with the regrets of not playing to the best of their ability in the biggest game of much of their careers.

Jermaine Pennant was one player who did rise to the occasion - although this is a man who has played in a Champions League final - as he battled through the pain and showed his desire throughout, but his efforts were just not enough as City outclassed the Potters.

There is no doubt the Sky Blues deserved to win the game.

Stoke had just one real chance - when Kenwyne Jones wasted a decent opportunity - and City carved out several clear cut chances. On another day they would have won by more.

It was Yaya Toure who scored the winner on 74 minutes - at the same end he scored his memorable semi-final winner against Manchester United - and he has now written his name into City folklore.

Yaya Toure's winners in the semi-final and final will live long in the memory of City fans

The image of Dennis Tueart scoring the winner in the 1976 League Cup final against Newcastle - their last major triumph - will always be imprinted in City's history but the image of Toure's winner against Stoke can now sit alongside it.

He earns mind-boggling wages, reportedly in the region of £220,000 a week, but most City fans will now tell you he is worth every penny for ending the trophy drought.

Toure celebrates with Mario Balotelli after scoring what turned out to be the winner

When he signed, fans wondered why the club would spend so much money on a defensive midfielder, but Toure has now proved beyond any doubt that he is not a holding player and he is a box-to-box midfielder who is a real goal threat.

He scored the winner in both the semi-final and the final so his status at Eastlands will be higher than any of his team-mates, with murmurings about his wages growing quieter with every passing game.

This was for his brother, Kolo, sitting in the stands after being banned for failing a drugs test. Yaya did him proud with an immense display from start to finish.

Having said that, Stoke fans would argue he shouldn't have been on the pitch to score the winner.

His second half horror challenge on Andy Wilkinson was so reckless it could be described as an assault. He was incredibly late and many would say he showed intent to hurt Wilkinson, and he was very lucky to remain on the pitch.

Referee Martin Atkinson had a very good game on the whole, but he also missed a near-certain red card for Stoke's Robert Huth early on, as he appeared to deliberately elbow Mario Balotelli in an off-the-ball incident.

It was a mindless act by a man who had been struggling for fitness in the lead-up to the game, as a red card in the early exchanges would have left Stoke with an impossible task.

Balotelli was rightfully aggrieved by the challenge but he showed tremendous maturity to overcome his anger and produce a man-of-the-match performance.

Balotelli won the man-of-the-match award after a mature performance

Earlier in his career, perhaps just a matter of weeks ago, the red mist would have came down and a red card for Balotelli would have been on the cards, but he channelled any frustration in the most positive of ways.

He worked hard and tracked back - a responsibility he has been accused of shirking in the past - and drew a fantastic save from Thomas Sorensen to finally demonstrate why Mancini has showed so much faith in him in the past.

Flair players like Balotelli and Carlos Tevez - who was brilliant on his return from injury and whose work-rate constantly kept Stoke's defenders on their toes - will get most of the credit but unsung heroes like Nigel De Jong and Vincent Kompany deserve more than a mention.

Both were outstanding - as they have been all season - and snuffed out any Stoke threat before it had the chance to materialise into a real chance. They are just as, if not more, important than the flair players as without their solid base, there would be nothing to build on.

As briefly mentioned, Carlos Tevez made a huge difference after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Tevez has been repeatedly linked with a move over the last few months

Stoke's gamble to play a half-fit Matthew Etherington failed but Mancini's punt on Tevez certainly worked.

If Tevez is to leave in the summer, he will leave as a City icon as the first man to lift a trophy for them for 35 years.

If he stays, he could go on to become a City legend and that could be something to inspire him to remain at Eastlands as he will never be as loved as this anywhere else.

While most City players rose to the occasion and played to a high standard, one player who had an uncharacteristically off-day was David Silva.

He took time to adapt to English football but he has been sublime at times and has made the difference for City on many occasions this season, but this was certainly not one of his better days.

He missed two glorious chances, including a sitter in the first half, and he never really got going in the game and was not as composed on the ball as fans have come to expect.

It was a shame someone of his immense ability could not show it in the showpiece final but his time will come and he will be a key player for City for years to come.

Manchester City fans deserved their success but credit must also go to Stoke supporters for their excellent support before, during and after the game.

Stoke fans stuck with their side as they realise how far their club has come in recent years

They realised what a success it was for their club to simply be at Wembley playing against the mega-rich City, and they know their club is on the rise.

The unusual sight of a set of losing fans staying behind after the final whistle to see the cup lifted was a real credit to Stoke fans who deserve to win a trophy themselves in the near future.

Staying behind showed a touch of class and real respect for the efforts of their team, who must have been heartened by the tremendous support they were given.

It is hard not to feel sorry for Stoke as they never really got going in this game, but they should be immensely pleased with the work they have done in recent seasons.

The pride in Tony Pulis' face was clear to see as he led out his side at Wembley as it was unthinkable when he took charge at the Britannia Stadium that he could take them this far.

Pulis will be disappointed with the result but should take pride at his side's progression

He will be disappointed he couldn't get his hands on the silverware but that will soon subside when he realises the enormity of what he has achieved at Stoke.

Just to get them into the Premier League was remarkable, but to keep them there, stabilise them as a Premier League club, take them to the FA Cup final and secure a place in Europe is unbelievable.

Stoke fans must be in dreamland as this would have been beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic of supporters just a matter of years ago.

Pulis should be a very strong contender for Manager of the Year and he does not get the praise he deserves at times, but he knows he has built something very special at Stoke and has plenty to be proud about.

But in the end, this was all about City.

This victory has taken the monkey off their backs and they can now relax in the knowledge there is not such a long trophy drought.

Now one has been won, many more are sure to follow. The sky really is the limit for them with the resources they have, so it is a fantastic time to be a City fan at the moment.

This win gives them a real platform to go on to bigger and better things, with Premier League titles and Champions Leagues surely on the agenda for the coming years.

Whether Mancini will be the man to deliver that success is another matter.

Mancini could create a dynasty at Eastlands

He is loved by City fans for bringing them this trophy and progression into the Champions League, but there are murmurings he would like to return to Italy and it remains to be seen how long City's owners will accept defensive football.

He may have to change to a more attacking style to keep his job long-term but for now he should bask in the glory of being the first City manager to win major silverware in 35 years.

His style was a major factor behind the lack of a spectacle the final turned out to be but he will not care one jot about that at the moment.

It was a similarly defensive game to some of the others seen at the new Wembley, with four of the five finals held there finishing 1-0. The last to be held at Cardiff was the 'Gerrard final', the astonishing 3-3 draw between Liverpool and West Ham which the Reds won on penalties.

That game helped breathe new life into the cup - something which has subsided in recent years - and something now needs to be done to protect the long-term future of it.

The FA Cup final should be the only focus the weekend it is played. Teams should be fined for playing weakened teams in it. The FA Cup final should kick-off at 3pm on a Saturday. Greater prize money should be given to those who do well in it. Semi-finals should not be played at Wembley. These are just some of the measures which should be introduced.

Clubs and players still have enormous respect for the FA Cup but this is declining by the year.

The final remains the glamorous occasion it always has been though and Manchester City and Stoke supporters will be very proud of their teams.

City could now go on to achieve pretty much anything they want to in the coming years and that is what their loyal fans deserve.

The Blue Moon is rising and there is no limit to how high it can go.

History in the making

Manchester City and Stoke will contest the 130th FA Cup final

This weekend should all be about the FA Cup final, the jewel in the crown of the English football season.

Unfortunately, the most famous domestic cup competition in the world has fallen so far down the pecking order in recent years that Premier League fixtures are being held on the same day and threatening to overshadow the occasion.

The FA Cup remains the envy of other countries, but if the FA are not careful it will turn into a non-event.

Tomorrow, Stoke City will win the FA Cup for the first time or Manchester City will win their first trophy in 35 years.

However, Manchester United need just one point at Blackburn in a lunchtime Premier League kick-off to clinch the title, meaning any celebrations at Wembley will be overshadowed.

Surely these Premier League fixtures could have been played in midweek sometime during the season.

Some teams played just twice in March so surely there was an opportunity to play these games then?

The FA Cup is dying a slow and very painful death unless it is given the prominence it deserves.

It should be the main focus of this weekend so it would be a real shame if the winners are not given the recognition they deserve.

Of course, some of the fixtures in the Premier League this weekend are of vital importance, and will provide great drama and tension, but playing these games on the same day as the FA Cup final should not have even been a consideration.

Nonetheless, I will now give my preview and predictions of both the cup final and the league games to assess who will be crying tears of joy and who will be crying tears of anguish.

Manchester City v Stoke (FA Cup final, 1500 Saturday)

Matthew Etherington's stoppage-time goal earned Stoke a 1-1 draw against City in their league encounter

Some of the shine may have been taken off the FA Cup in the last few years but try telling fans of these clubs it doesn't matter any more.

A generation of supporters from both clubs have never experienced a major trophy triumph and so this occasion is one of vital importance and represents a great opportunity for both clubs to end their trophy drought.

Roberto Mancini has been criticised at times this season but if he was to win the FA Cup, coupled with City's qualification for the Champions League, he will go down in the history of the club.

He has built a winning team, albeit spending a lot of money along the way, but deserves praise for the way he has stuck to his principles to deliver success.

Carlos Tevez looks set to be fit for this - although it is unclear whether he will start - and that should be a major boost for City as he is their talisman.

He has dragged the team forward at times this season and his goals have been crucial, and if he is to leave in the summer he would love to sign off by winning a trophy.

They have a team full of match-winners - Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Tevez among others would grace most teams - but must ensure they do not get carried away in the emotion of the occasion.

Stoke's chances may well rest on whether Robert Huth and Matthew Etherington are fit to play.

Both of them are absolutely key to the way Stoke play so it would be a major blow if either of them missed out.

Tony Pulis has done an unbelievable job at the Britannia Stadium and deserves his day in the sun.

It was incredible just to lead the Potters to the Premier League but to stabilise them there and reach the FA Cup final is a remarkable achievement.

Stoke knocked City out of the FA Cup at the fifth round stage last season and have caused them problems in the past, so this game is not the foregone conclusion many have made it out to be.

Stoke will put incredible pressure on City and their supporters will be right up for it, meaning this game will be far from a walkover.

City may have more resources but many would say Stoke have more character and so, to me, the Potters may pull off an incredible victory which would be a body-blow for City fans.

Prediction: 1-2 (AET)

Blackburn v Manchester United (1245 Saturday)

Dimitar Berbatov struck five times as United beat Blackburn 7-1 in November

Just a point separates United from a record-breaking 19th title and they will be confident of picking up at least that at Ewood Park.

Despite some decent performances recently and some vital points, Blackburn are still just three points clear of the bottom three and go to Wolves on the last day, so they are far from safe yet.

They should be right up for this game as they surely just need one more point to survive.

Steve Kean doesn't seem to be overly concerned about relegation but he knows his side still need points and he needs big players like Morten Gamst Pedersen to stand up and be counted.

Around this time last season, United drew at Ewood Park to hand the title initiative to Chelsea.

This time, the occasion will be very different and it is difficult to see them doing anything other than winning the league here.

Edwin van der Sar may be rested but most key players, such as Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, should play to avert the danger of any last-day drama.

United should have far too much for Blackburn and it would be very hard to bet against them winning this game.

Prediction: 0-3

Blackpool v Bolton (1245 Saturday)

Mark Davies scored the leveller as Bolton came from 2-0 down to draw in the reverse fixture

This game is win or bust for Blackpool, it's as simple as that.

With fellow relegation rivals playing each other and guaranteed to pick up points, the Seasiders know they need at least one win from their final two fixtures to stand any realistic chance of staying up.

They were extremely unlucky not to win at Tottenham last weekend but it would be hard to see them getting anything from Old Trafford on the final day which is why this game is so crucial.

They deserve another crack at the Premier League and Ian Holloway needs the likes of Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell to perform here to give them any hope.

Bolton have really lost their fizz in recent weeks - aside from their victory over Arsenal - and so Owen Coyle will be determined for his side to put that right and win here.

They do seem to be thinking of the beach after a long and gruelling season but they owe it to sides in the relegation battle to give it a really good go here.

Good professionals like Kevin Davies will not want to finish the season on a low note but his side may have their work cut out here as Blackpool's desire will be immense.

It is that desire - albeit coupled with nerves - which should steer them to victory here and give them a real chance of staying up.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunderland v Wolves (1245 Saturday)

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored a last-minute winner as Wolves beat Sunderland 3-2 in November

Sunderland did well to win at Bolton last Saturday but scratch beneath the surface and they could have easily lost last weekend.

The amount of clear-cut chances Bolton had, it was something of a miracle the Black Cats managed to win the game as the home side could have been out of sight.

Nonetheless, if Sunderland were to finish in the top half that would represent a good season for them and a real stepping stone for next term.

Steve Bruce will be looking to the summer now as he knows he needs to strengthen his squad to avoid another injury crisis next season.

Wolves' win over West Brom last Sunday took them out of the bottom three but they know they still have work to do to stay up.

They have always seemed a better side than their league position has suggested and now is their chance to prove it.

Mick McCarthy would love to all but ensure survival at the home of his former club and his side should be confident of picking up a win at the Stadium of Light.

With what is at stake, I can't see them losing, although I can't see them winning either so I'm plumping for a high-scoring draw.

Prediction: 2-2

West Brom v Everton (1245 Saturday)

Somen Tchoyi was among the scorers as West Brom won 4-1 at Goodison Park in November

Despite last Sunday's 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Wolves, Roy Hodgson has had a terrific start to life as West Brom manager and would love to finish the season on a high.

With the pressure off both sides, this should be an entertaining game as neither team has anything to lose.

The big incentive for the Baggies, as well as trying to finish in the top ten, is to finish as the Midlands' top club and they stand a real chance of doing that if they win here.

They have had their struggles this season and parted company with talented manager Roberto di Matteo, but this is their best ever season in the Premier League and they should be proud of themselves.

As for Everton, they have really come into their own recently and once again look set for a top seven finish.

David Moyes really has done a remarkable job at Goodison Park on limited resources and deserves more praise than he gets.

It is a real shame Everton don't have the finances to go any further as if Moyes was backed in the transfer market, there would be no limit to their ability.

This game should be entertaining with plenty of goals, although the Toffees' greater quality should triumph.

Prediction: 2-3

Chelsea v Newcastle (1330 Sunday)

Andy Carroll's goal helped Newcastle to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at St James' Park

There could be a flat atmosphere at Stamford Bridge on Sunday - especially if Manchester United clinch the title on Saturday - but Chelsea should be determined to win this game for Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian looks certain to leave the Blues in the summer, despite winning the Double last year, so the players should be motivated to win the game for him.

This should be a typical end-of-season game but it's hard to see anything other than a Chelsea victory.

Newcastle have not won in the league at Stamford Bridge since 1986 and that shouldn't change here.

Even with a full-strength team they would struggle, but with key players like Steve Harper, Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote, Leon Best, Danny Guthrie, Stephen Ireland, Mike Williamson and Hatem Ben Arfa missing, coupled with the January sale of star man Andy Carroll, their task seems like an impossible one.

Alan Pardew must be counting down the days to the summer where he can concentrate on adding quality and depth to his squad as this side would struggle to stay up next season.

Chelsea should have no problems sweeping this makeshift Newcastle team aside and the Magpies will just be grateful to have survived their first season in the Premier League.

This should be a comfortable win for Chelsea, although it may only be by a two-goal margin.

Prediction: 2-0

Arsenal v Aston Villa (1600 Sunday)

Andrei Arshavin and Jack Wilshere both scored in a 4-2 win for Arsenal at Villa Park in November

Neither of these teams have much left to play for but both have quality and with the pressure off, this could be an entertaining game.

Whatever Arsene Wenger says, his side should have won the title this season as it was there for the taking.

The Gunners have thrown away far too many points and their weaknesses were laid bare in last Sunday's 3-1 loss at Stoke.

The likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey offer real hope for the future and Robin van Persie has been in great goalscoring form but Arsenal fans will be disappointed at another season without silverware.

As for Aston Villa, this has been a season of real disappointment for them.

The appointment of Gerard Houllier as manager didn't work and now his health troubles present complications for next season.

The quality they have in their side, with the likes of Ashley Young, Darren Bent and Stewart Downing, should have been nowhere near the bottom three so major improvement is needed next season.

Arsenal are in real danger of finishing fourth and therefore having to enter into a play-off for a place in the Champions League so should be up for this game, but I can see Villa picking up a point here.

Prediction: 1-1

Birmingham v Fulham (1600 Sunday)

Clint Dempsey's header handed Fulham a 1-1 draw with Birmingham in the reverse fixture

Birmingham seem to be able to grind out wins when they really need them and they could certainly do with picking up three points here.

They are three points clear of the bottom three but need something here as they will not want to go to Tottenham on the last day of the season needing something.

Their major trouble this season has been the lack of a regular goalscorer so that is something boss Alex McLeish will be looking to rectify in the summer.

If they do stay up, this season will be a major success for them with the Carling Cup triumph, but they need to stay up or all their hard work will have been undone.

Fulham have been playing well recently but Mark Hughes will have been extremely disappointed by his side's 5-2 home loss to Liverpool on Monday.

Their home form has been key to their success over the years and so it is ironic they lost by three at home after winning away at Sunderland by three, but this fluctuation may have been down to end-of-season syndrome rather than anything more serious.

Hughes will want to put the Liverpool loss behind his team here, but Birmingham need the points and so Fulham will find it difficult.

Birmingham have won 1-0 many times under Alex McLeish and that is a scoreline which could be on the cards here.

Prediction: 1-0

Liverpool v Tottenham (1600 Sunday)

Aaron Lennon's 92nd-minute strike gave Spurs a 2-1 win over Liverpool in November

Kenny Dalglish finally got his permanent contract as Liverpool manager this week and that is news that will have delighted any Reds fan.

The Scot has done magnificently well since taking over from Roy Hodgson in January, with last week's 5-2 win at Fulham an indication of his sides' attacking intent, and Liverpool look set for a title challenge next season.

The future is very bright for them with Dalglish at the helm: Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll will be a great partnership for years to come and players seem to genuinely want to play for Dalglish.

Remarkably, Dalglish has transformed this side from relegation candidates to European challengers in a matter of months, so his appointment on a long-term basis was a no-brainer.

Liverpool have now overtaken opponents Spurs in the race for fifth place - for a spot in next season's Europa League - and it would be a great achievement if they could win here to seal that place.

Tottenham and Harry Redknapp will look back on this season with a great deal of pride but will be disappointed with how they have ended the season.

Their Champions League adventure will live long in the memory of all Spurs fans but they have dropped far too many points in the league and will be bitterly disappointed if they miss out on a place in Europe.

They are in bad form at the moment and with Liverpool's blistering form under Dalglish, it is hard to see anything other than a home win here.

Prediction: 2-0

Wigan v West Ham (1600 Sunday)

Valon Behrami opened the scoring in West Ham's 3-1 win over Wigan earlier this season

This could be the pick of this weekend's games in the Premier League as it is a true six-pointer.

The sides met in a crucial relegation fixture in April 2007, with the Hammers winning 3-0, and they need a similar result this time to avoid the dreaded drop.

Wigan are the most inconsistent side in the league as they can be so good but infuriatingly bad at times, but are in decent form at the moment.

They need a win here as they don't want to go to Stoke on the last day needing a win as the Potters could be riding the crest of a wave after their FA Cup final.

West Ham are also in the last chance saloon as a loss here would condemn them to relegation, something which should not have even been on the agenda given the squad at their disposal.

The Premier League isn't big enough for the both of these teams next season as the loser of this game will be all but down, and it would not surprise me to see this as a Championship fixture next season.

Even a win would not take West Ham out of the bottom three but they need the three points as a home game against Sunderland on the last day represents a real chance of victory.

This will be a nerve-wracking game and the losers will be all but down, but I'm backing West Ham to come out on top to set up a last day where three from five teams will go down.

Prediction: 1-2

The FA Cup should be the showpiece of the weekend but whatever we all think of Premier League fixtures being played on the same day, it should be a great weekend for football fans with so much going on, not only in the FA Cup and the Premier League, but also with the Football League play-offs.

This will be the most exciting yet nerve-wracking weekend of the season but for neutrals, there is nothing better.

This is the time of the season when heroes and villains are made, so players need to cope with the pressure and produce performances under the biggest of strains.

As Sir Alex Ferguson might say, this is squeaky-bum time.

United on the brink after outclassing Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson is set for a 12th league title at Old Trafford

Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea

Was it ever in any real doubt?

Manchester United brushed Chelsea aside in what had been billed as the title decider and are now on the brink of a record-breaking 19th English league title.

In truth, no side has stood out in the Premier League this season as the runaway best team; everyone has had their troubles and moments they looked anything but champions-in-waiting.

Arsenal have had their chances, Chelsea started in blistering form, Manchester City and Tottenham promised much but couldn't deliver and Manchester United have looked mechanical at times this season.

But what cannot be in any doubt is that United have been the best team.

They have had to grind out results at times and have only won five times away from home - the same amount as relegation-threatened Blackpool - but have remained relatively consistent while their title rivals fell apart.

There is no doubt they will go on to lift the title now as they only need one point from their final two games - against Blackburn and Blackpool - to seal it.

What Arsenal and Chelsea in particular will be upset about is that United appeared to be there for the taking this season.

Their home form has been imperious but for large parts of the season they have not looked like champions, whereas both Arsenal and Chelsea have had terrific chances to wrestle the title away.

Arsenal have thrown far too many points away this season. It would not be going too far to say they should have won the league.

Arsene Wenger has cut an increasingly irritated figure as the title has slipped away

Home defeats to newly-promoted Newcastle and West Brom, losing a 4-0 lead at Newcastle, conceding last-gasp goals at Bolton and against Liverpool and twice losing two-goal leads to Tottenham were just some of a catalogue of games the Gunners somehow slipped up in.

Arsene Wenger will carry on insisting Arsenal have had a good season and second or third place is no disaster, but the fact is the title was there for the taking this season and they will never get a better chance to end their trophy drought.

As for Chelsea, it was something of a miracle they were still in the title race going into the game at Old Trafford. Had they won this game, they would have been in pole position to retain their title, and that seems incredible when you consider the long list of problems and failures they have had this season.

They started the season in fantastic form and pundits were falling over themselves to hand the title to Chelsea as early as October, but since the sacking of Ray Wilkins in November they have not been anywhere near the same team.

It may just be a coincidence, but after Wilkins' departure as assistant manager the Blues went on a period of just one win in nine league games and no team should go on to win the league after a run of form so catastrophic.

They were 15 points behind Man Utd at one stage and never really hit top form despite closing to within three, but did find a way to grind out the wins as the season progressed.

Chelsea had been winning in the lead-up to this game, but in truth they still did not look convincing and only a glance at the league table gave them any real chance at Old Trafford.

Despite losing to Arsenal last week, United always looked to be in better form than Chelsea - as they proved by sweeping the Blues aside in the Champions League - and underlined this here.

Fernando Torres has failed to impress since joining Chelsea for £50million in January

Chelsea are still looking at how to accommodate Fernando Torres in their team and this is a crisis which has been going on since February, so how they have racked up the wins recently is something of a mystery.

The fixture list has been quite kind to them lately and so they haven't needed to play at the top of their game, but they certainly needed to play to that standard in this game and fell well short.

Of course, it could have been so different had they not conceded within 36 seconds. You cannot afford to be chasing the game for that long when a win is a must, with only three points giving them a realistic chance of winning the title.

Some good play from Ryan Giggs and a fantastic through ball from Park Ji-Sung set Javier Hernandez away, and the Mexican was never going to miss the chance to finish the move and send Old Trafford potty.

At £6million he is surely one of, if not the, most astute signing Sir Alex Ferguson has ever made.

He finishes with unerring accuracy and this was just another example of his supreme form.

Hernandez's role has increased in importance as the season has progressed

He has really come into his own at the business end of the season and that is the sign of a quality player. More to the point, that is the sign of a Sir Alex Ferguson player.

Chicharito was born to score goals and, at just 22, he has the ability to become a legend at Old Trafford.

He may have been aided here by some slack defending by David Luiz which helped the ball onto his favoured right foot, but he just seems unable to miss in front of goal and he has become an invaluable member of this United side. He works tirelessly for the team with his intelligent off-the-ball runs and finishes off the moves he helps create, in the process ousting Premier League top scorer Dimitar Berbatov from the starting line-up and building a formidable partnership with Wayne Rooney.

He now has 20 goals in his debut season in English football and that is a record of which he can be rightfully proud.

He was signed originally as one for the future and so Ferguson will be delighted and somewhat surprised at the immediate impact he has made and the key role he has played in winning the league.

In a breathtaking start which set the tone for the game, United kept on pressing with Hernandez, Rooney and Park all going close.

The inevitable second was eventually added on 23 minutes when a trademark Ryan Giggs cross was headed in by skipper Nemanja Vidic.

Vidic's goal made Chelsea's task an almost impossible one

Giggs worked a short corner and then beat Salomon Kalou after the Ivorian dived in for a tackle, giving the Welshman the time and space to pick his spot with the cross.

This was the sort of cross Giggs has been producing all his career, but it was Vidic's desire which made the cross look great.

Giggs put it into the right area but Vidic wanted the ball more than the Chelsea defenders; there was no way he was going to allow them to stop him. He knew if he scored it was almost certain he would be lifting the Premier League title in two weeks' time and that vision was enough to motivate himself to beat the defenders and all but finish Chelsea off.

Of course, there was time for Chelsea to launch a comeback but that was always extremely unlikely.

They were a ragged side, with Branislav Ivanovic lucky not to be given two yellow cards after a number of reckless challenges and David Luiz looking out of his depth on the biggest stage.

Luiz has quickly established himself as a cult hero at Stamford Bridge but is still nowhere near the finished product and he should learn from this experience.

He just couldn't cope with the constant pressure put on him by Hernandez and Rooney, not to mention the industrious Park and Antonio Valencia. He was not given a moment's rest and was brought off at half-time to save him from embarrassment.

Frank Lampard's goal gave Chelsea a flicker of light but was too little, too late

Chelsea did have chances to get back in the game - with Edwin van der Sar's instinctive reflexes denying Kalou and Didier Drogba on more than one occasion - but any chance of them claiming the win they needed to stay in with a realistic chance of the title was gone by the time Frank Lampard bundled the ball in with around 20 minutes left.

In truth, United could have won by more, with only a goal-line clearance by Alex denying Wayne Rooney the goal his performance deserved.

Hernandez also surprisingly passed up an easy opportunity late on - heading over in front of goal - but by that time the damage had already been done and United held on to a deserved victory.

There were so many good performances from United players, with Park, Valencia, Giggs and Rooney particularly impressive. They had saved one of their best displays of the season for the best possible time and they just seemed a class apart from Chelsea.

Chelsea are now champions only in name and their crown will officially be taken by United very shortly, probably on Saturday.

As earlier mentioned, they will become the top title-winning club in English football history with 19, overtaking great rivals Liverpool in the process.

When Sir Alex Ferguson took over in 1986 he vowed to "knock Liverpool off their perch" but even he could not have foreseen the success he would preside over.

Ferguson will turn 70 in late 2011

When he took charge all those years ago (almost 25 to be precise), United had seven league titles to their name.

Ferguson has now led them to 12 further league titles (as well as two Champions Leagues with another final to come this month) and that is a feat which is difficult to comprehend.

Most managers don't get anywhere near lasting 12 years at any one club, never mind winning the championship that many times.

At Manchester United, Ferguson has won more league titles than Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Leeds have won (11 combined) in their entire histories. It really is difficult to put into words the enormity of his achievements and it is only after he retires his success will truly be appreciated.

Ferguson's actions after the final whistle were those of a man who knew the title was won

He took a bow in front of the Stretford End at the end of the match, something he usually reserves for when titles are officially won. But he knows in reality this is won.

This is by no means the best United team he has ever assembled in terms of talent but it may just be the best in terms of endeavour and will-to-win.

Ferguson has guided this team, this squad, through an extremely difficult season and this may just be his most satisfying title win yet.

Not since the "you'll win nothing with kids" comment of 1995/96 by Alan Hansen has a United team been written off as much as it has been this season and Ferguson will have bottled up all the criticism and used it as motivation to deliver yet another title.

In all but sealing the title with two games left this allows Ferguson the chance to rest players in the build-up to the Champions League final and this is an opportunity he will be grateful for.

Barcelona are a fantastic side but if United are sharp and at their best they will take some stopping.

Ferguson faces a number of tactical dilemmas at Wembley - such as choosing whether to risk playing Rooney and Hernandez against such an attacking team as Barcelona - but he will fully believe in his sides' ability to overcome the odds in the same way they have done for much of the season.

This success is all down to Ferguson and all the praise he gets in the coming days and weeks is richly deserved.

Take a bow, Fergie.

Monumental weekend

Manchester United and Chelsea meet on Sunday in what is being billed as a title decider

So much of the focus for this weekend is on the title showdown between Manchester United and Chelsea, but there are several other issues which can be sorted out.

At the bottom of the table, one defeat could cast teams adrift and one win could see some teams confirm safety.

Most of the games genuinely mean something and that is a blessing at this stage of the season, where most games usually result in damp squibs.

Here are my previews and predictions for what is a vital weekend in the Premier League.

Aston Villa v Wigan (1500 Saturday)

Gabriel Agbonlahor was among the scorers as Aston Villa won at Wigan 2-1 earlier this season

Villa have stuttered in the two games since Gerard Houllier was struck down with health issues, and surely cannot wait for this season to end now.

It has been an utter failure for them - even if they make the top ten - as the players they have at their disposal should be challenging for Europe.

Villa have never beaten Wigan at home in the Premier League and that is something of a remarkable statistic.

It should fill the Latics with confidence in a game they surely must get something out of.

They have been in and around the bottom three all season and have always lacked consistency, although they have played well in patches.

They are in the relegation zone on goal difference so anything they pick up at Villa Park could prove crucial, and it is the stability of the club which stands them in good stead.

Dave Whelan has publicly backed manager Roberto Martinez despite the club's plight, whereas rival owner David Sullivan at West Ham has blasted his players.

The stability should give them an advantage over their rivals but that said I'm still backing Villa to triumph at Villa Park.

Prediction: 2-1

Bolton v Sunderland (1500 Saturday)

Danny Welbeck scored the only goal as Sunderland beat Bolton 1-0 in December

Both these sides are stuttering at the end of a season which promised so much.

Bolton are the more solid of the two sides, comfortably in the top ten and with an FA Cup semi-final appearance under their belts, but Owen Coyle will want to ensure they finish the season with something of a flourish.

They have missed Stuart Holden since he broke his leg but it is the 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Stoke which has affected their confidence.

Both teams have very little to play for so this game is one of the few this weekend that means little.

Sunderland have no fit strikers and 11 first-team players out injured, so it is difficult to see where their next goal is coming from, never mind points.

Despite their terrible form and run of bad luck, though, a win could move them back into the top ten and that would present a good season.

They will need to replace Darren Bent in the summer and push on next season, so this term cannot come to an end quickly enough for them.

Bolton played well in their last home game to beat Arsenal and Sunderland's lack of strikers should be enough to see the Trotters to victory here.

Prediction: 1-0

Everton v Manchester City (1500 Saturday)

Leighton Baines' goal helped Everton win 2-1 at Eastlands in the reverse fixture

Everton's injury problems are lessening by the week and that has resulted in a good run of form, although they will have been disappointed to only draw with Wigan last weekend.

Their only unavailable senior players now are Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha, and the freedom they have of being comfortably in the top half could spell trouble for City.

Despite having relatively little to play for, David Moyes will have his team up for this game as he is still upset at City's actions over the transfer of Joleon Lescott.

They may have their work cut out though as City have a tremendous defensive record and don't seem the sort of team to roll over any more.

You get the sense their FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester United has given them a lot of belief and they feel almost invincible now.

They are all but in the Champions League now after last Sunday's win over West Ham but Roberto Mancini must ensure his side don't take their foot off the gas in the lead-up to the FA Cup final.

Goodison Park is never an easy place to go to and City have struggled against Everton in the past, most recently in a 2-1 home defeat in November.

City should be fine for getting in the top four but they will find it hard to get anything here.

Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle v Birmingham (1500 Saturday)

Mike Williamson and Obafemi Martins will both miss this game after being ruled out for the rest of the season

Newcastle should be fine on 41 points and thoughts are already turning to who they will look to sign in the summer.

Their side isn't bad, they just need a couple of strikers to fill the gap left by Andy Carroll and perhaps a winger or two, but the £35million gained by the Carroll sale must be spent.

They played decently last week at Liverpool but their lack of firepower and cutting edge up front cost them severely.

That said, their front-line are good enough to trouble the likes of Birmingham, as they proved in their 4-1 win over Wolves recently.

Birmingham just need a point or two to ensure survival after last Sunday's draw with Wolves, and should stave off the threat of relegation quite easily.

If they do that, the season should be seen as a roaring success as their Carling Cup triumph will be remembered for years to come.

They just need one more push now and the determination of the likes of Craig Gardner - who will miss this game with suspension - has been key to their recent upturn in fortunes.

Newcastle should have enough to win this game though, with Alan Pardew looking to finish the season on a high.

Prediction: 3-1

West Ham v Blackburn (1500 Saturday)

Junior Stanislas' late strike earned West Ham a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park in December

'Must-win' is a statement over-used in football but is entirely appropriate in this case for West Ham.

The return of talisman Scott Parker from injury will be crucial for the Hammers, with five straight losses meaning they are now propping up the table.

They have three very winnable games, with a trip to Wigan and home game against Sunderland following this, and probably need points from all those games to have a chance of staying up.

They still seem to have too much quality in their squad but the fact is they have been down there all season and showed little signs of getting away from danger.

This game is also crucial for Blackburn though, who are still just three points clear of the bottom three despite last weekend's victory over Bolton.

As Steve Kean has said in the lead up to this game, they still need one more win and would love to do it here with a game against Manchester United and an away game at Wolves to follow this.

I'm still not convinced they will stay up, despite their recent improvement, and although it may not seem like it now this may be the biggest game of their season.

West Ham are due a big performance and the threat of relegation should just about see them through this game.

Prediction: 1-0

Tottenham v Blackpool (1730 Saturday)

Blackpool haven't won a league game since DJ Campbell's goal helped them to a 3-1 win over Spurs in February

Tottenham should be relatively pleased with their performance this season, with a Champions League quarter-final place and top-six finish, but they will be disappointed by their league form.

They have now slipped behind Liverpool into sixth and that could be a blessing for next season as Harry Redknapp does not want to be bogged down by the Europa League next season.

They have dropped far too many points at home to stand a chance of a winning a place in the top four and this is exactly the type of game they haven't been winning.

The likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart should have too much for Blackpool though.

The Seasiders leak lots of goals and with Tottenham's attacking style, there should be plenty of goals here.

Blackpool are just one goal ahead of the bottom three and know they probably need one win from their last three games to stand a chance of staying up.

They will find it extremely difficult to get that here and indeed against Manchester United on the final day, so already next week's home clash with Bolton is looking like a must-win.

Tottenham should have far too much quality for them so anything Blackpool get at White Hart Lane will be a bonus.

Prediction: 4-1

Wolves v West Brom (1200 Sunday)

Carlos Vela's stoppage-time equaliser earned West Brom a point against Wolves earlier this season

This is possibly the worst possible game Wolves could face right now.

This is one of the fiercest local derbies in England and a defeat for Wolves would make their survival task extremely difficult.

Mick McCarthy says if his side wins this game he has no doubts they will stay up, but winning this game will be extremely difficult.

West Brom have been very impressive under Roy Hodgson and won another derby last weekend against Aston Villa, and are looking good for a top-half finish.

The Baggies are playing with confidence again now and it is great to see them with no relegation worries, a situation they have never been in in the Premier League.

Make no mistake, they will be right up for this game and nothing would give the Baggies' fans more pleasure than getting a result to all but condemn their nearest rivals to relegation.

Wolves are running out of chances now but this game, coupled with fixtures against Sunderland and Blackburn, gives them a real chance of pulling off a miraculous escape.

The pressure is really on them now but they may just be able to sneak a priceless victory here.

Prediction: 1-0

Stoke v Arsenal (1405 Sunday)

Managers Tony Pulis and Arsene Wenger have had several high-profile disagreements in the past

Stoke are in very good form and this should surely be seen as one of the best seasons in their history.

They have an FA Cup final to look forward to and are currently in the top-half of the Premier League, something which was unimaginable a couple of years ago.

Now is when they may think about protecting players for the FA Cup final but even so they will give Arsenal an extremely tough game.

Arsene Wenger has complained at the tactics of Tony Pulis' side in the past but the Potters only play to their strengths in the same way Arsenal do.

The Gunners were fantastic in beating Manchester United last Sunday but it has come far too late for their title challenge.

They should have had the league wrapped up and this season will always be remembered for what might have been.

Robin van Persie is the key player for them at the moment but if Stoke can keep him quiet, they will feel confident of getting something out of the game.

It could be a poignant return for Aaron Ramsey to the ground where his leg was broken, but expect Stoke to ruffle a few feathers again and overpower Arsenal.

Prediction: 2-1

Manchester United v Chelsea (1610 Sunday)

Frank Lampard's late penalty earned Chelsea a 2-1 win over Man Utd in March

This game doesn't need any more hyping up.

The winner will take a massive step towards winning the title and it is set up for a fantastic game of football.

Chelsea, in particular, have to go for it.

Them retaining their title would have been unthinkable a matter of weeks ago, but this is their big opportunity to complete the comeback and win one of the most remarkable titles ever.

They were 15 points behind at one stage so for them to even be in contention is unbelievable, never mind just being a win away from taking top spot.

United lost at Arsenal last weekend and that was a major blow to them, although their midweek progression to the Champions League final should have filled them with confidence.

Sir Alex Ferguson will point towards the easy style in which his side dispatched Chelsea in the Champions League, but he knows they will present a real threat here.

Didier Drogba is likely to start rather than Fernando Torres and that will give Chelsea their best chance of winning.

They have a good record at Old Trafford but know that only a win will keep their title flame burning.

All the pressure is on United now but they have the experience to deal with it and they know a point should be enough to edge them towards the title.

It's hard to see the Red Devils losing at home, however good Chelsea's form is, and that could lead to the sides cancelling each other out here.

Prediction: 1-1

Fulham v Liverpool (2000 Sunday)

John Pantsil's own goal gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Fulham in the reverse fixture

Fulham are one of a number of sides enjoying a strong end to the season and that is testament to the steady job Mark Hughes has done there.

Their win at Sunderland last weekend moved them into the top half and proved they are ready to turn the corner with their away form.

They have lost just three times at Craven Cottage this season and this has been the major reason for their upturn in fortunes.

It seems Kenny Dalglish can do no wrong at Liverpool and Europa League qualification would be a remarkable achievement.

Unlike Tottenham, Liverpool seem to genuinely want to qualify for the tournament and so deserve their place.

Dalglish must be given a permanent contract as soon as possible as there is no-one else the owners could turn to now the fans have tasted life under Kenny again.

It is quite ridiculous it is taking so long to give him the job he clearly deserves, there really is no alternative for the owners.

Despite Fulham's good form, Liverpool are on a good run themselves and should pick up the three points here as they continue their quest for Europe.

Prediction: 0-2

The title is the issue highest on the agenda this weekend and this is one Sunday which can truly be described as 'Super'.

Wolves v West Brom and Stoke v Arsenal are the perfect curtain-raisers for the game of the season, which has something of a cup final feel to it.

The relegation battle is also nearing its conclusion and any win for one of the sides down there will be absolutely crucial.

Defeats are simply not an option now for the teams in the biggest peril, with just two games left after this weekend.

Sides must give their absolute all to the cause and leave no stone unturned, or they will regret it for the rest of their lives.

There are no second-chances now.

Champions League semi-final? More like a testimonial

Manchester United are looking for a fourth European Cup

Manchester United 4-1 Schalke (6-1 agg)

Champions League semi-finals are not meant to be this easy.

But the way Manchester United dispatched of Schalke will even have made the great Barcelona sit up and take notice.

In essence, the tie was over as soon as the final whistle was blown in the first leg.

Everyone knew it, and Sir Alex Ferguson proved as much in his team selection for the second leg as he made eight changes from the side that faced Arsenal.

On first glance at the starting line-up, the German side should have believed they were in with a slight chance of upsetting the odds and launching a remarkable comeback, but the Red Devils snuffed that possibility out emphatically.

Schalke did improve from the first leg in this game, but in truth they couldn't have played any worse.

Even this performance was nowhere near up to semi-final standard and so it is something of a mystery as to how they made it so far.

Their one shining light from the first leg, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, suffered a complete change in fortunes in this leg as two costly errors cost his side goals.

Neuer had been lauded as the world's best goalkeeper after the first leg

Perhaps he had lost any belief after the first leg and lacked the motivation to perform as well in the return leg, but this display will have done him no favours in his desire to gain a high-profile move in the summer.

United was touted as a possible destination for the German number one but his mistakes here will have raised serious doubts about his quality which may scupper his hopes.

This may just have been an off night for him - all goalkeepers, indeed footballers have them - but it came at the worst possible time. This should have been his moment in the shop window.

After Antonio Valencia had opened the scoring, with the Schalke defence nowhere to be seen after a superb through-ball by Darron Gibson, any hopes of a miraculous comeback were all but extinguished.

But those hopes were well and truly crushed five minutes later as Neuer allowed Gibson's shot, which was straight at him, through his hands and into the net.

Neuer did make some characteristically good saves in the game, most notably from Anderson, but his performance overall was a world away from that of a week ago.

His side were handed a lifeline before the interval, with Jose Manuel Jurado's stunning strike an indicator of the quality Schalke do possess going forward.

But they never looked likely to score again.

Blame can again be laid at Neuer's door for United's third goal after Anderson's rebound shot somehow slithered past him, but the tie was long since over.

Anderson did his chances of earning a starting spot at Wembley no harm

Anderson doubled his tally in a United shirt in just one night as he added a fourth, converting Dimitar Berbatov's fantastic ball to put the icing on a considerably large cake.

Overall, there was a testimonial-type atmosphere to this game, with the United crowd singing the names of former heroes like Andy Cole, David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This was bizarre in a Champions League semi-final but indicative of United's dominance.

Ferguson took something of a gamble by changing his team so dramatically, but will feel more than vindicated with the outcome.

Squad players like Anderson, Chris Smalling, John O'Shea, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson all impressed and staked their claims for a regular starting slot. This is a welcome headache for Ferguson who had been concerned earlier in the season at the level of depth in the squad.

By performing so well at such a high level - despite the tie appearing over it was still a Champions League semi-final - the fringe players have shown their manager they can be relied on to play when needed.

Gibson was particularly impressive.

Gibson will turn 24 later this year

He did not have the greatest week leading up to the game, after leaving Twitter following abuse from his own fans, but answered his critics in the best possible way with a flawless display.

His talent has been doubted ever since he broke onto the Manchester United first-team scene but performances like this will go a long way towards changing the perspective of him.

Schalke were extremely disappointing over the two legs, showing little of the quality which saw them through against Valencia and Inter Milan, with the lack of service given to Raul a particular failure.

Raul was given no service against Manchester United

The most prolific marksman in Champions League history had been instrumental in the German side's progress but was given no opportunity to show his talents as his team-mates could not use the ball well enough when in possession.

Raul worked hard - often appearing on the left - but was pretty anonymous over the two legs when the team needed to bring out the best in him.

As for United, they now march into their third Champions League final in four years, a terrific achievement.

One thing which springs to mind among all this is the lack of credit given to the club's owners.

There are worries about the level of debt racked up by the Glazers but on the pitch, their contribution can not be criticised.

They have backed Sir Alex Ferguson when he has needed it and kept together a team consistently able to challenge for honours, so perhaps some of the criticism levelled at them should now calm down.

Of course, a large part of the consistency is down to Ferguson.

Sir Alex Ferguson could be set for a third Champions League triumph

He is the figure who keeps United performing and his record at Old Trafford must surely be the most remarkable in the history of football.

You get the sense he is almost taken for granted at Old Trafford but when he does finally retire his loss will be felt enormously. They won't be half the team without him.

As soon as United's passage to Wembley was confirmed, thoughts immediately turned to the final against Barcelona, a repeat of the 2009 final.

Ferguson insists his side have learnt lessons from that night in Rome, where United were passed to death and put to the sword, and now has the chance to prove it.

Barcelona are a fantastic side but have shown signs recently of tiredness and Ferguson will be hoping his side can exploit this.

One thing which may count against United is the fact they are in a title race when Barcelona have virtually already won their league.

This means Barca will have the chance to rest players and play below their maximum level while United will be slugging it out in a desperate effort to hold onto the lead in the title race.

This could work both ways, though, as Barcelona may not be match fit by the time they get to Wembley.

Pep Guardiola will have to make sure his side do play somewhere near their maximum level in the lead-up to the final to ensure there is no rustiness in their biggest game of the season. It is a tough balance to achieve.

Guardiola's Barcelona saw off rivals Real Madrid in the semi-finals

Guardiola was at Old Trafford for the semi-final against Schalke but will only have learned of the strength in depth United have.

The team Sir Alex Ferguson put out in this game is likely to be almost unrecognisable from that he will put out at Wembley, and that should worry Barcelona as if their second string is this impressive, how good must the first team be?

United will certainly start as underdogs but this may suit them. The pressure will all be on Barcelona and their superstars.

Ferguson may have to calm his natural desire to attack, as Barcelona will likely tear them apart if they play gung ho, but in a one-off situation the Spanish side are beatable.

Arsenal beat them at the Emirates Stadium and that should fill United with confidence.

Of course, they will have to stop Lionel Messi - now widely regarded as one of the best players ever - but as Ferguson said in the aftermath of the Rome final, it is Xavi and Andres Iniesta who truly do the damage.

Messi, Iniesta and Xavi were recognised as the best three players in the world at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in January

It will be crucial United do not allow them time on the ball to get their passing game flowing. This is a thankless task but they need to do it to stand any chance.

Manchester United versus Barcelona is the game the world wanted to see in the final, and it should be a wonderful festival of football providing the likes of Nani and Sergio Busquets are not in a play-acting mood.

It should be a beautiful game but United must do everything in their power to stop Barcelona playing the way they want.

Otherwise it could get a bit Messi.

Higgins Trumps Judd but new era beckons

Judd Trump is set to lead snooker into a new era

John Higgins was magnificent in winning his fourth world snooker title yesterday, but snooker has found a new hero in Judd Trump.

Trump's swashbuckling displays over the past few weeks have attracted a whole new legion of fans to the game, and he was unlucky to come up against such a consistent player in the final.

The 21-year-old has been known for some time on the snooker circuit as a player with tremendous raw talent, perhaps the most naturally gifted player since Ronnie O'Sullivan, but it is only recently he has been able to show his qualities on the biggest stages.

His win in the China Open four weeks ago was an indication he was ready to truly announce himself on the world stage, and his performances in Sheffield only served to confirm his potential was beginning to be realised.

Snooker players are not easily recognisable like they were in the 1970s and 80s, apart from O'Sullivan, but Trump has really captured the imagination and looks set to lead the sport into a rosy new era.

His attacking play is a joy to behold and his long potting left Dennis Taylor to state he was the "best potter I've ever seen".

Trump won many new fans after his performances at the Crucible

His stunning accuracy with the long pots puts pressure on his opponents as they know they must get safety shots inch-perfect as Trump can seemingly pot balls from anywhere on the table.

Quite simply, he was born to pot snooker balls.

Sure, as time progresses he will have to work on the tactical side of his game and his safety play. But that will come.

Hopefully, his attacking style will remain throughout his career as snooker needs exciting talents and players who are willing to take difficult shots on, and Judd is better than anybody at doing that. Take that away and his future success would be risked.

The fact he seems to be a genuinely nice person has also helped his cause.

His gracious manner after the loss to Higgins shows he knows he will get plenty more chances to pick up the top prize. Few would bet against him winning multiple world titles just like the Scotsman.

His Tweets during intervals have also helped his popularity.

His honest assessments of how the game is going adds a new dimension to snooker, where fans can interact with the player and get his true feelings as the match is going on.

Against Ding Junhui in the semi-final, many predicted the Bristolian would crumble under the pressure.

But this young man does not seem to suffer from pressure. As many commentators have said, he plays exactly the same on the world stage as he does in his snooker club.

He did get a good run of the balls against Ding, although this eluded him in the final, but his display was top-drawer and he thoroughly deserved his place in the final.

He also beat former champions Neil Robertson and Graeme Dott along the way and these victories show he is ready to claim his place as one of snooker's top guns.

Reigning champion Neil Robertson was among Trump's victims

While Trump is clearly extremely talented, sometimes it is easy to underestimate just how much work people like him put in to perfect their games.

It is not a case of just being able to do something. No-one can do anything to a high standard without practice, practice and more practice.

It is clear Trump loves the game of snooker as he has been tirelessly practicing since he was three years old, and it is his just reward this endeavour has paid off.

He is destined for greatness and it is only a matter of time until he wins the world title.

Higgins, meanwhile, has already reached greatness.

Higgins overcame personal troubles to claim his fourth crown

He has had a torrid twelve months, from the match-fixing scandal to the death of his father, but has come out of it the other side a better player and a better person.

Some say he should have been banned for life for agreeing to throw frames, but Higgins claims the circumstances were not clear-cut and he feared for his life.

He never actually followed through with throwing a frame, so the benefit of the doubt needed to be given.

One thing is for sure, he will never fall into that trap again.

His brilliant tactical and technical play was a joy to behold as he fought back the emotions and triumphed, and whatever the rights and wrongs of what he has done in the past he deserves respect for his play here. This is his fourth world title and more could follow.

As for Trump, he is the peoples' champion.

He has followed in the footsteps of O'Sullivan and Jimmy White - whose style has been described to similar to that of Trump - to bring glamour and excitement to snooker.

This years' tournament, despite the brilliance of Higgins, will be remembered for the exuberance of Trump.

Barry Hearn has big plans for snooker and Trump is now sure to be at the centre of them.

Barry Hearn plans to make snooker more popular

He will draw in many new fans and be the face of the new era, the player youngsters look up to and try to copy.

As long as he keeps working hard - which there is little doubt he will do - he could become one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

He still has a long way to go but it shouldn't be too long before he wins the top prize at the Crucible.

He is sure to have many more battles with Higgins over the coming years, with his age suggesting he is only going to get better while Higgins should soon be on the wane.

Higgins may have won the battle, but Trump should win the war.