It may appear like a broken gramophone record but I can’t help repeating the maxim that without surprise results and inconsistencies, competitive sports will cease to be an attraction.

This is what is happening in the English Premiership that is one again heading towards an exciting finish following the terrific finish by defending champions, Chelsea and the remarkable 1-0 defeat of the hitherto runaway league leaders Manchester United by unstable Arsenal.

With only three points now separating United and Chelsea, the title could as well be decided at Old Trafford on Sunday when the two title chasers meet in a dicey encounter. It is definitely going to be a test of wits between two great sides but with United’s impeccable home record, it would take Chelsea more than sheer determination to be the first to beat United at the Theatre of Dreams this season.

It could be tough and rough with a number of cards flying out from the referee's pocket. I have this hunch that the success of the game would depend very much on good officiating.

Referees decisions have raised a lot of concern of late and the man in the middle on next Sunday would have to be fair and firm. Chelsea's two controversial goals against Tottenham that revived their title hopes will continue to be a talking point, so will Referee Chris Foy’s balancing act of ignoring two glaring penalty awards to both Arsenal and United.

You need to be of sterner stuff to combine the Champions league with the Premiership at this crucial stage of the season and this is where Sir Alex will be keen to show to the football world that he was not knighted for fun.

One point in the league is enough to win the title as Chelsea did last season so those who undervalue United's three points lead must revise their notes. After Sunday’s clash of the giants Chelsea has a home tie against Newcastle and a final trip to Everton whilst United travel to Blackburn and play host Blackpool in the final match.

These are interesting times for English football and United are on the threshold of making another historic Champions league final appearance at Wembley since 1968 and the Premiership title to boot.

Meanwhile, kudos to Arsenal for contributing to an exciting finish in the Premiership. I hope this would be some compensation for their down- hearted fans who have been sitting on thorns throughout the season watching the club throw away points like nobody's business. At least now they can boast of having a say in who wins the title.

That's football for you. Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.

Lets I forget, congratulations to Nigeria for winning the Africa  Under 20 tournament in South Africa with that hard fought 3-2 win over Cameroun. Nigeria’s strategy of promoting en-bloc their Under 17 team of 2009 worked like magic.