Even if they end up tied on points, Didier Drogba (center) and Chelsea will still be staring up at Man U on goal differential. Tony O'Brien/Action Images/Icon The Limey's Mailbag Keep the banter flowing to The Limey. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Chelsea vs. Manchester United: They're now in a two-horse race to be both English and European champions. With only two games left in the Premier League season, they're tied on points and, once that's resolved, they'll contest the small matter of the European Cup final on May 21 in Moscow.

This will mark the first time the Champions League final will be an all-English affair. Further emphasis of the dominance British sides are currently making on the European game is Glasgow Rangers' progression to the UEFA Cup final at the expense of Italian side Fiorentina on Thursday.

But the spotlight is on the biggest stage. United faced Barcelona at Old Trafford, having fought out a tough 0-0 at the Camp Nou a week ago. The second-leg result on Tuesday was decided by Paul Scholes' 14th-minute goal, and what a goal it was. Gianluca Zambrotta played a weak clearance straight to Scholes, and the United midfielder's shot from 30 yards out arched away from goalkeeper Victor Valdés into the top right corner of the net.

However, it was a moment in the 90th minute that was emblematic of the whole match. The mercurial Lionel Messi beat Cristiano Ronaldo on the right-hand flank before firing in a cross cleared by Wes Brown. Messi, in the much-hyped battle of the creative wingers, was in better form than Ronaldo.

That's not to say Ronaldo had a bad game, but while he was marked tightly by Barça, United failed to control the mesmeric Messi, who in playing numerous one-twos with Deco, was continually plowing furrows through United's midfield.

Yet Barça never scored -- and despite its dominance of possession, rarely troubled Man U keeper Edwin van der Sar. That 90th-minute cross was neat, but dealt with simply and competently. At the coal face of the action, Brown and Rio Ferdinand were resolute, repelling wave after wave of penetration into the penalty area.

In the other semifinal, Liverpool arrived at Stamford Bridge for its second leg with Chelsea following a 1-1 first-leg draw at Anfield. There was no time to regret John Arne Riise's injury-time own-goal that had turned the tie in the Londoners' favor -- to progress, the Reds needed to score at Stamford Bridge for the first time under Rafa Benítez.

And they did: Liverpool scored twice in game that went to extra time. But by the time Ryan Babel hit a consolation goal deep into the second extended period, Chelsea had scored three times. Didier Drogba had given the Blues a deserved halftime lead before Fernando Torres equalized for the Reds.

Just after Michael Ballack was errantly upended by Sami Hyypia as he moved away from goal, Frank Lampard had the composure to put the recent death of his mother behind him and slotted home a penalty kick. Lamps then did an emotional tribute, kissing his commemorative black armband at the corner flag.

In truth, though, the game had already turned in Chelsea's favor minutes before, when Michael Essien's disallowed goal seemingly galvanized the squad's engines. When Drogba dispatched Nicolas Anelka's cut-back to make it 3-1 on the brink of the break in extra time, it was game over.

The result of the European Cup final is surely anyone's guess. As is whether an unassuming Israeli is still Chelsea manager come next season. What more does Avram Grant need to achieve to impress the fans and board?

Domestic drama

In the aftermath of last Saturday's "Battle of the Bridge," there was talk that Manchester United's defeat could have been the equivalent of Arsenal's draw with Birmingham City back in February, which set the ball rolling in the implosion of Arsenal's season.

For obvious reasons, the 2-1 defeat -- which saw Chelsea draw level on points at the EPL summit -- riled United. Captain Ferdinand exhibited William Gallas-esque petulance in kicking out in frustration, mistaking a wall for a female steward. This was followed by a bizarre mass brawl involving a group of United players, who had obviously ignored the "Keep off the grass" signs, and the Chelsea groundsmen. These events, and injuries to key men Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic, threatened to derail United's season.