SEMI-EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea's Premier League title hopes in tatters as Manchester United and Liverpool agree points coalition
Chelsea's hopes of winning the Premier League have been hit by rumours that Manchester United will form a points coalition with deadly rivals Liverpool ahead of Sunday's final matches.
Chelsea need to beat Wigan at Stamford Bridge to clinch the crown but if they fail to take three points, a Manchester United defeat of Stoke will secure a fourth successive Old Trafford title.
However, United and Liverpool chiefs are believed to have spent last night negotiating a deal by which Rafa Benitez's side - who can finish no lower than seventh - will donate two of their points to United to give Sir Alex Ferguson a one-point lead and put them in the box seat.
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Liverpool's act is fraught with risk, however, as it would leave them just two ahead of eighth-placed Everton and needing to gain at least a draw at relegated Hull to secure a Europa League place.
It could also rob them of credibility - however, since not winning a league title themselves since Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, that boat had long since sailed...
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An unconfirmed Anfield legend said: 'It seems incredible that we would help United to a 19th title and overtake our record but they have promised us a Champions League place as well as first refusal on Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Ben Foster so this represents a good deal for LIverpool FC, its supporters, players and official mascots'
When it was pointed out that Beckham and Butt are not even United players, the legend insisted: 'That needn't matter - they've promised - and it ensures the balance of footballing power stays in the North-West.
'And we'll still finish ahead of Everton despite the fact everyone says we're rubbish'
Stamford Bridge chiefs are said to be furious at the ManLiv pact and a club spokesman said: 'It's incredible that a team who plays in blue and gets the most points will not come out on top. Where on earth did they come up with an idea like that? Whatever happened to first past the post?
'It makes a mockery of the whole system and beyond belief that a team in red could win because of behind-the-scenes dealing - we will be taking this matter up with our local MP.'
Long-time Chelsea fan and ex-local MP David Mellor was unavailable for comment because he was negotiating a deal to become QPR's most high-profile celebrity supporter following his defection from Fulham some years ago when their idea of a good result was an away draw with Rochdale.
Premier League rules about teams forming points coalitions are vague and Peter Scudamore - a jockey and horse trainer who shares the same surname as Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore - could shed no further light on the subject - even though neither man was actually asked about it.
There was more prospective misery for Chelsea this morning when the local borough council imposed a time limit on fans getting into Stamford Bridge this weekend.
An unnamed source smarmed: 'The match kicks off at 4pm and fans not in their seats by then will not be permitted access to the ground until the next home match.'
Chelsea have requested an extension to allow fans caught in traffic or public transport to be able to gain access to the Bridge, but local council chiefs were adamant.
'We cannot extend the alloted time for supporters who nonetheless have valid tickets to exchange them for a view of the relevant football match in question even if they are in the queue by 4pm - that's the law,' he said.
