Manchester City took the penultimate step to what would be their first top-flight title in 44 years with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Newcastle.
Yaya Toure struck twice in the second half to leave City knowing victory at home to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday will in all probability do the job.
Manchester United stayed level on points with their rivals thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Swansea, but their goal difference is eight worse than City’s.
Arsenal stayed third, despite being held to a 3-3 draw at home to Norwich, because Tottenham could only draw 1-1 at Aston Villa and Newcastle lost to City.
QPR boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 defeat of Stoke while Bolton were held 2-2 by West Brom. Relegated Wolves drew 0-0 with Everton and Fulham beat Sunderland 2-1.
In Saturday’s FA Cup final Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley. Ramires gave the Blues an early lead which Didier Drogba doubled in the second half. Andy Carroll pulled one back just after the hour but it was not enough.
In Rugby Union, Harlequins will play Northampton and Leicester will face Saracens in the Premiership semi-finals on Saturday.
The line-up was decided by the final round of regular season games when Newcastle were relegated despite beating Wasps 14-10.
Quins came top of the table with a 24-10 win at Sale and Leicester secured second by beating Bath 28-3.
Sarries saw off Exeter 40-22 and Northampton sealed the last semi-final berth with a 42-14 victory over Worcester. London Irish thrashed Gloucester 52-18.
In Rugby League’s Super League Wigan went top with a 36-22 win over Hull KR while previous leaders Huddersfield, who also have 20 points, lost 27-20 at Catalan Dragons.
Warrington were one point behind after a 24-20 defeat of Salford. Hull FC beat Leeds 34-20, St Helens saw off Wakefield 38-12 and Bradford were 29-22 winners over London.
In Cricket, Warwickshire stayed top in Division One of the County Championship with a nine-wicket win over Durham.
Second-placed Nottinghamshire thrashed Lancashire by 185 runs and Middlesex beat Worcestershire by 132 runs.
In Division Two Yorkshire saw off Leicestershire by an innings and 22 runs, Northamptonshire surprised Hampshire by 117 runs and Derbyshire drew with Gloucestershire.
Surrey began their Clydesdale Bank 40 defence with two wins from two. There were also victories in that competition for Kent, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Lancashire and the Netherlands.
(By Rob Barnett)
