Athletics sweep Rangers to claim unlikely title

OAKLAND, California — Same chaotic, champagne dance-party scene in the clubhouse just two days later. New T-shirt: AL West champions.

Never give up: Oakland's Brandon Moss runs to first base after hitting an RBI single in the first inning on Wednesday. AP

The Oakland Athletics won the division title with another improbable rally in a season full of them, coming back from four runs down and a 13-game division deficit to stun the two-time defending league champion Texas Rangers 12-5 on Wednesday.

"We knew this is a beast of a team we would have to beat, and to be able to beat them three games in a row and win the division on top of it, really it's a magical-type thing," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said.

Josh Hamilton dropped a fly ball in center field for a two-run error that put the A's (94-68) ahead 7-5 in a six-run fourth inning. Oakland only added to Texas' troubles the rest of the way.

While Hamilton's Rangers (93-69) are headed to the new one-game, wild-card playoff at home against Baltimore on Friday, the A's get two days off before opening the division series at Detroit on Saturday in their first postseason appearance since being swept by the Tigers in the 2006 AL Championship Series.

"It's going to be a tough matchup," Melvin said. "They have a very powerful lineup that can certainly score some runs. They also have great starting pitching. We will have our work cut out for us."

Yankees 14, Red Sox 2

In New York, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson each hit a pair of homers, powering the Yankees past the Red Sox for their 13th AL East title in 17 years.

Hiroki Kuroda (16-11) shut Boston down with an encouraging performance after struggling through much of September. He allowed two runs and seven hits over seven innings.

Granderson hit his career-best 42nd homer in the second, a three-run shot off Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-7), making his first start since Sept. 19. Cano then connected in the third for a 5-1 lead.

One batter later Matsuzaka was finished, most likely ending his six-year career with Boston. The Red Sox paid $51.1 million to win the rights to the Japanese star and gave him a $52 million contract. Matsuzaka went 33-15 in his first two years, helping Boston win a World Series in 2007. But injuries, including elbow-reconstruction surgery June 2011, marred the last four years and he finished the deal 50-37.

"I didn't expect my six years to end the way it did," Matsuzaka said through a translator. "It has been really hard on me mentally for a while now."

Ichiro Suzuki went 1-for-5 with two runs for New York.

Rays 4, Orioles 1

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Evan Longoria homered three times.

White Sox 9, Indians 0

In Cleveland, Dan Johnson hit his first three homers of the season.

Blue Jays 2, Twins 1

In Toronto, Brandon Morrow struck out a season-high 11, and Omar Vizquel wrapped up his 24-year career.

Mariners 12, Angels 0

In Seattle, Casper Wells tied a career-high with five RBIs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 5, Phillies 1

In Washington, the NL East champion Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the postseason with their major league-high 98th victory.

Braves 4, Pirates 0

In Pittsburgh, Jason Heyward singled twice and scored two runs.

Cubs 5, Astros 4

In Chicago, Houston ended its National League tenure with a loss.

Mets 4, Marlins 2

In Miami, Ike Davis hit his 32nd homer.

Rockies 2, Diamondbacks 1

In Phoenix, Jeff Francis earned his first victory in more than a month.

Dodgers 5, Giants 1

In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw finished with a major league-leading 2.53 ERA.

Padres 7, Brewers 6

In Milwaukee, Chase Headley drove in two runs.

Norichika Aoki finished 1-for-5 with a run for the Brewers.

Cardinals 1, Reds 0

In St. Louis, rookie Shelby Miller took a no-hitter into the sixth.

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Shin crushes field to claim Women's British Open title

HOYLAKE, England — Jiyai Shin avoided mistakes in miserable weather conditions Sunday to cruise to a record nine-stroke victory in the Women's British Open.

In the 36-hole finish Sunday in the wind-delayed tournament, Shin took a three-shot lead into the final round after shooting a 1-under 71 in the morning. She stayed calm while strong wind and heavy showers sent scores soaring at Royal Liverpool in the afternoon, closing with a 73 to finish at 9-under 279.

"It was a long, very, very tough day out there," Shin said. "But I kept my focus and concentrated on every shot, and when I made the winning putt, it was great.

Mika Miyazato was fourth at 2 over after rounds of 72 and 77.

The 24-year-old Shin won the major championship for the second time in five years and also won for the second time in seven days on the LPGA Tour. Last Monday morning in Virginia, she finished off Paula Creamer on the ninth hole of a playoff in the Kingsmill Championship.

"When I won at Sunningdale, it was a totally different kind of course, but I finally think I've got the right tempo with my swing for links golf," Shin said.

The 10-time LPGA Tour winner entered the day with a five-stroke lead after shooting a 64 — the lowest competitive round ever at Hoylake — on Saturday. She broke the record for margin of victory of five set by Karen Stupples in 2004 at Sunningdale.

"My goal was 1-under par every single day. So my goal was 4 under. I think it was enough score," Shin said. "So, I'm really surprised even from yesterday and then also today, I hit even par with 36 holes with this weather, so I'm really surprised and inspired by myself. Because it's a really tough course here, so when I finished it today, I'm just like, 'Wow, I can get a good score on any other course.' I'm pretty sure of that."

Shin completed an Asian sweep of the four majors. South Korea's Yoo Sun Young won the Kraft Nabisco, China's Shanshan Feng took the LPGA Championship, and South Korea's Choi Na Yeon won the U.S. Women's Open. Asian players have won nine of the last 12 majors.

Shin missed the LPGA Championship and U.S. Women's Open after having surgery on her left wrist.

"I think so many Asian players are playing at the moment on the LPGA Tour, so it makes a lot of chances to win," Shin said. "Especially, I don't know how can I say, I didn't play the last two major tournaments, but I played in Nabisco and here. Well, I work so hard, I guess that's why I got this trophy, but, I don't know, I know all the other players are doing their best and they work hard, too. So it makes it just happen."

Shin is 2-for-2 working with new caddie Florian Rodriguez.

"I'm happy with my new work with my new caddie because he makes me feel relaxed," Shin said. "Actually, he's one year younger than me, but he like tried to be relaxed on the golf course and I really appreciate my caddie."

South Korea's Inbee Park was second, shooting 72-76.

Creamer shot 72-72 to finish third at 1 over.

Australia's Karrie Webb, a three-time winner in the event, pulled within three shots with a 68 in the morning, but finished with an 82 to tie for fifth with South Korea's Ryu Se Yeon — 12 shots back. Ryu shot 71-76.

Play was abandoned Friday because of high wind, forcing the 36-hole finale Sunday. Play was suspended for a few minutes during the fourth round as the rain and wind pelted the course, but organizers decided to play on.

"It was like we were standing under a shower," Creamer said. "That's the best way I can describe it. It was hard, my goodness gracious."

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Yankees claim Igarashi off waivers

NEW YORK — Right-hander Ryota Igarashi has been claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees and assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the team said Tuesday.

The veteran reliever was designated for assignment Sunday by the Toronto Blue Jays just two days after being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Although he had posted an impressive ERA of 1.29 with 28 strikeouts over 21 innings pitched in Las Vegas, Igarashi struggled in his two major league appearances for the Blue Jays. He gave up four earned runs on five hits in just one complete inning of work, and was charged with a blown save in Toronto's 8-7 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Igarashi pitched for the New York Mets in 2010-2011, going 5-2 with a 5.74 ERA over 69 innings in 79 major league appearances.

The Yankees will transfer injured right-handed pitcher Brad Meyers from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Igarashi, who turned 33 on Monday.

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Dufner holds nerve to claim first PGA victory

AVONDALE, Louisiana — Jason Dufner was more nervous about a putt under 2 feet on a playoff hole at the Zurich Classic than about getting married next weekend. His recent late-tournament struggles made it easy to understand why.

Finally: Jason Dufner admires his trophy after the Zurich Classic on Sunday. AP

"There's a been a good bit of pressure," Dufner said. "People talking about, 'Why aren't you winning? Why can't you close the deal?' . . . Friends, family, media, even people in my inner circle. And not in a negative way, but when you're leading tournaments going into weekends and you're finishing 24th, there's going to be some questions."

Not anymore.

Dufner maintained his composure through not one, but two playoff holes against one of the more accomplished veterans in the game Sunday, beating Ernie Els with a birdie on their second extra trip up the par-5 18th to win for the first time in 164 starts on the PGA Tour.

The win should also stamp out some of the bad memories haunting Dufner since the Masters, when he shared the lead after two rounds but faded to 24th. The 35-year-old Dufner also held five previous leads through two rounds — two this year, only to fade down the stretch.

Entering the fourth round with a two-shot lead in New Orleans, Dufner shot a 2-under 70 at TPC Louisiana, while Els had a 67 to match Dufner for a course-record 19-under 269 total.

Both missed birdie putts within 8 feet in the first playoff, so they went back to the 18th tee for the second extra hole, which Dufner won by hitting the green in two strokes and tapping home a short birdie putt after Els' birdie attempt from the fringe missed.

Dufner lost playoffs last year to Mark Wilson in the Phoenix Open and Keegan Bradley in the PGA Championship for two of his three career runnerup finishes.

"It's always really tough playing on Sundays whether you're in the lead or middle of the pack, and today I was fighting, trying to win an event, and I think I showed myself a good bit out there," Dufner said. "It was tough. Ernie made a great run at me and it felt like with five or six holes (to go) we were probably going to be battling for the win.

"To get the monkey off of my back, it's a great feeling."

The 190-cm Els, who goes by the nickname "The Big Easy," hasn't won on the PGA Tour since the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, a little more than two years ago.

He did not have a single bogey in the final round or playoff, and would have won his 19th career PGA Tour title in, of all places, the Big Easy, if he could have made a birdie putt of a little less than 6 feet on the first playoff hole. He pushed it more than 2 feet past the edge of the hole.

"It was a nice little charge I made and, you know, nice to catch the leader," Els said. "I had a chance to win the tournament with a 6-footer and missed it, but I made quite a few putts on the back nine to keep myself in it. . . . Hit the ball pretty well today — no bogeys on the final round — so there's a lot of positives."

On the second playoff hole, Els' tee shot went into a fairway bunker, and his second shot landed 137 yards from the pin. His third shot landed on the fringe, nearly 19 feet from the pin, but he nearly saved birdie from there, his putt missing by 2 inches.

Dufner then made his birdie putt from less than 2 feet, and in his typically low-key way, briefly raised both arms to acknowledge the cheering crowd before casually walking off to accept some congratulatory hugs, including from fiancee Amanda Boyd.

"It's awesome. He's been so close so many times. I don't feel like it's real," Boyd said. "It will be a good wedding."

After becoming the seventh player to take his first career PGA Tour triumph in New Orleans since 2002, Dufner called it a "great wedding present for both of us."

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Alabama blanks LSU to claim BCS title in a snoozer

NEW ORLEANS — The Rematch of the Century, it wasn't. For Alabama, it was good enough for No. 1, if not a lot of style points.

The Crimson Tide romped to another BCS championship against top-ranked LSU with a smothering defensive performance Monday night, a numbing barrage of field goals and even a long-overdue trip to the end zone. Final score: 21-0.

No. 2 Alabama posted the first shutout in the 14-year history of the BCS, relying on Jeremy Shelley's right leg for most of the points — he made a bowl record-tying five field goals — and letting its defense do the rest. It was the Tide's second BCS title in three years.

"That was the message before the game: to finish," coach Nick Saban said. "In fact, it was how bad do you want to finish? We certainly didn't play a perfect game, we got a field goal blocked, we couldn't find the end zone for a long time, but we just kept playing."

While only crimson-clad fans will remember this as a thing of beauty, Alabama (12-1) erased any doubts that it deserved to be in the title game over another one-loss team like Oklahoma State or Stanford.

Then again, one of those teams might have actually scored a touchdown before Alabama finally did, with 4:36 left in the game, long after fans may have flipped to something more entertaining than a one-sided kicking contest.

Amazingly, these Southeastern Conference powerhouses played twice in a span of about two months, and never came that close to one of those things that's worth six points — you know, touchdowns — until Trent Richardson broke off a 34-yard run with 4:36 remaining.

It only took 115 minutes, 34 seconds, plus an overtime period in their first meeting.

LSU (13-1) had beaten eight ranked teams — including Alabama in early November — to establish itself as the clear No. 1 going into the bowls, but the Tigers crossed midfield only once in the sequel to the Game of the Century in Tuscaloosa. Instead of putting up a "Godfather II," this one was more akin to "Speed 2."

The Tigers were outgained 384-92 in total yards, managed a puny five first downs and didn't cross the 50 until there were just 8 minutes left. From there, they went back, back, back — the last gasp ending appropriately with beleaguered quarterback Jordan Jefferson getting the ball knocked from his hand before he could even get off a fourth-and-forever pass.

The BCS title belongs to Saban, who is carving out quite a legacy of his own at the school that still worships Bear Bryant as if he just retired yesterday. The Associated Press likely will follow suit by bestowing the title on the Tide when its poll comes out early Tuesday, given the dominance of Alabama's performance.

"We didn't do a lot different," Saban said. "We did some things on offense formationally. Our offensive team did a great job. Defensively, we just played well, played the box. Our special teams did a great job."

He has won a pair of BCS titles at Alabama, plus another at LSU in 2003. He's the first coach to win three BCS titles, denying LSU's Les Miles his second championship.

The Tigers will have to settle for the SEC title, but that's not likely to ease the sting of this ugly performance.

Back on Nov. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama held the top spot in the first matchup between the 1-2 teams. The Tigers pulled off a 9-6 victory in overtime, kicking three field goals while the Crimson Tide missed four of its six attempts.

OK, so maybe that wasn't a classic. But it was downright thrilling compared to the rematch, the first time in the BCS that teams played for the title after meeting during the regular season.

Credit the Alabama defense for that.

Led by dominating linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower, LSU simply couldn't do anything — running or passing.

Kenny Hilliard led the Tigers with 16 yards rushing, while Jefferson was 11 of 17 passing for 53 yards, usually hurrying away passes before he was sent tumbling to the Superdome turf. He was sacked four times and threw a mystifying interception when he attempted to flip away a desperation pass, only to have it picked off because his intended receiver had already turned upfield looking to block.

A.J. McCarron was the offensive MVP, completing 23 of 34 passes for 234 yards. Richardson added 96 yards on 20 carries. But an even bigger cheer went up when the defensive award was presented to Upshaw, who had seven tackles, including a sack, and spent a good part of his night in the LSU backfield.

"This defense is built on stopping them, and that's what we did," Upshaw said. "We wanted to come out and show the world we beat ourselves the first game. We wanted to come out and dominate from start to finish, and that's what we did."

With the way his defense was playing, McCarron simply had to avoid mistakes and guide the offense into field-goal range. He did that to perfection.

"When you have a great offensive line like I have, and great players around you, it makes your job easy as quarterback," McCarron said. "I've got to give all the credit to them. I wish I could have the whole team up here."

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Thunder claim third win in as many nights

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder became the first team to win three games in three nights during the NBA's condensed schedule this season, and they managed to make it look easy.

Bear trap: Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo attempts a shot between Lakers defenders Pau Gasol (left) and Andrew Bynum on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 90-82. AP

Kevin Durant had 21 points and 10 rebounds, reserve James Harden scored 20 and the Thunder rested their starters throughout the fourth quarter in a 108-96 victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

"I just think the big thing was not to dwell on it and not make too much out of it. It's not sometimes as bad as people think," said Nick Collison, who had his first double-double by recording season bests of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

"I'm glad it happened earlier in the year. I think that was a positive but I think we all felt fine."

The Thunder were also able to rest their starters throughout the fourth quarter on the front end of the back-to-back-to-back after leading Houston by 21 through three.

This time, they outscored San Antonio 37-21 in the third to build a 22-point cushion.

"I knew our guys were going to compete and they were going to give everything they had for the three games. You were hoping that you could win them all," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said.

"Fortunately for us, we did."

The Spurs, already without Manu Ginobili because of a broken left hand, played without point guard Tony Parker after he came out of the game and walked to locker room midway through the third quarter. He returned to the bench a few minutes later, and a team spokesman said Parker was fine and could have played.

DeJuan Blair also pulled himself from the game after he cramped up just after halftime. He didn't come back either.

Gary Neal, who scored a team-high 18 points, would not let their absences be an excuse.

"I just think a couple turnovers here, and their athletes were able to get out and run the lane, and the score ballooned on us," Neal said.

Lakers 90, Grizzlies 82

In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and the Lakers beat Memphis for their sixth consecutive home victory.

Matt Barnes scored 15 points and Pau Gasol had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won six of eight after an 0-2 start despite playing the NBA's busiest early-season schedule, matching Oklahoma City with 10 games in the first 15 days.

Although they haven't lost at Staples Center since their season opener on Christmas, the Lakers committed a season-high 27 turnovers and never pulled away from the injury-depleted Grizzlies. Memphis had beaten Los Angeles in two of the last three meetings, including a 19-point blowout in the Grizzlies' last trip to Staples.

Magic 104, Kings 97

In Sacramento, Jason Richardson scored a season-high 22 points, Glen Davis added a season-best 20 and Orlando beat the Kings despite playing much of the game without foul-plagued Dwight Howard.

The All-Star center had five points and four rebounds in 20 minutes and spent most of the first three quarters in foul trouble. He didn't get his first rebound until 4 minutes into the fourth and was scoreless before converting a three-point play with 6:35 remaining, putting the Magic ahead 87-85.

Tyreke Evans had a season-high 28 points and eight assists for the Kings. DeMarcus Cousins, also hampered by fouls, had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Timberwolves 93, Wizards 72

In Washington, Kevin Love had 20 points and 16 rebounds and Ricky Rubio had 13 points and a career-high 14 assists to lead Minnesota past the winless Wizards.

Rubio also grabbed six rebounds and controlled the game during much of his 30 minutes off the bench. He entered with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter and quickly hit a 22-foot jumper to start a 17-2 run that gave Minnesota the lead for good.

Suns 109, Bucks 93

In Phoenix, Steve Nash had 17 assists and 10 points in 27 minutes as the Suns routed the weary Bucks.

The Suns beat the Bucks in Phoenix for the 24th straight time, the NBA's second-longest active streak behind San Antonio's 27 wins in a row at home over Golden State.

Trail Blazers 98, Cavaliers 78

In Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and eight rebounds, and the Trail Blazers got off to a slow start but pulled away to beat Cleveland.

Wesley Matthews added 24 points for the Trail Blazers, who led by as many as 24.

Kyrie Irving, the top pick in last June's NBA draft, had 21 points — 11 in the third quarter. Antawn Jamison, who was Cleveland's top scorer going into the game, made a 3-pointer for his only basket of the game.

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Fit-again Matsuzaka recovers to claim win

BOSTON — Daisuke Matsuzaka said his elbow is fine after surviving a rough first inning to pick up his fourth win of the season as the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 9-5 on Sunday.

A win's a win: Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka throws a pitch against the Twins on Sunday in Boston. Matsuzaka earned the win in the Red Sox's 9-5 triumph despite allowing four runs in six innings. KYODO PHOTO

In his first start since coming out of a game on April 29 with a stiff right elbow, Matsuzaka allowed three runs on three hits, a walk and two stolen bases in the opening frame, throwing 34 pitches.

He settled down afterward, giving up just two more hits through the sixth inning including a solo home run to Danny Valencia in the fourth. Matsuzaka struck out four.

Matsuzaka, who made his first major league relief appearance during the wee hours of Thursday's 13-inning loss to the Los Angeles Angels, said his elbow felt good after throwing 102 pitches.

"I was favoring the elbow in the first inning because I wasn't sure how it would respond," Matsuzaka said. "From the second inning on, I just focused on following all the way through on the pitches because I knew then the elbow was going to be fine."

He was not, however, happy with the start overall apart from the fact that he won as the Red Sox defeated the Twins for the second straight day at Fenway Park.

"It's not unusual for me to throw a lot of pitches in the first inning but even then, to give up three runs right off the bat isn't good," Matsuzaka said.

Minnesota fielders had three errors, including two with two outs. After taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, it was a frustrating way to lose a game.

"You can't give teams extra chances," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's what happened today. The game should have been a close one."

Yankees 12, Rangers 5

In Arlington, Texas, Derek Jeter homered twice after going 62 games without a long ball and Curtis Granderson went deep again as the Yankees beat the Rangers despite an erratic outing by CC Sabathia.

Jeter had gone 259 at-bats without a homer since last Aug. 24 before leading off the fifth with a liner that barely cleared the 13-km wall into the Rangers' bullpen in right-center.

Jeter didn't wait long for his next homer, leading off the seventh against Arthur Rhodes (1-2) with a deeper shot into the bullpen to break a 4-all tie.

Angels 6, Indians 5

In Anaheim, Peter Bourjos drove in the tying run in the eighth inning with an infield single, Erick Aybar followed with a two-run double and Los Angeles beat Cleveland to give Mike Scioscia his 1,000th victory as a major league manager.

Tigers 5, Blue Jays 2

In Toronto, Brad Penny pitched well into the eighth inning as Detroit followed Justin Verlander's no-hitter by beating the Blue Jays.

Rays 5, Orioles 3

In Baltimore, B.J. Upton drove in four runs as Tampa Bay beat the Orioles for a three-game sweep.

Athletics 5, Royals 2

In Kansas City, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Kurt Suzuki each homered for Oakland and Conor Jackson collected three hits to help Tyson Ross win his first game in four starts.

White Sox 5, Mariners 2

In Seattle, Paul Konerko returned to the White Sox lineup and equaled his career high with five hits, including a single in the 10th inning that helped Chicago beat the Mariners.

Ichiro Suzuki went 1-for-4 for Seattle with one RBI.

Marlins 8, Nationals 0

In Miami, Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and struck out a career-high 11 Sunday to help the Marlins salvage the final game of their series.

Braves 5, Phillies 2

In Philadelphia, Jair Jurrjens pitched neatly into the seventh inning and Atlanta got home runs from Freddie Freeman, Alex Gonzalez and pinch hitter Eric Hinske.

Reds 2, Cubs 0

In Chicago, Johnny Cueto was strong in his season debut, allowing five hits and pitching into the seventh for Cincinnati.

Kosuke Fukudome went 1-for-3 for the Cubs.

Giants 3, Rockies 0

In San Francisco, Ryan Vogelsong and two relievers combined on a three-hitter and the Giants completed their first series sweep of the season.

Cardinals 3, Brewers 1

In St. Louis, unbeaten Kyle McClellan worked into the ninth inning to become the NL's third five-game winner and the Cardinals' bullpen labored to get the final three outs.

Dodgers 4, Mets 2

In New York, Andre Ethier got back on track with a two-run homer, Clayton Kershaw struck out eight and Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak.

Pirates 5, Astros 4

In Pittsburgh, Ryan Doumit hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Pirates improved to .500 this late in a season for the first time in six years.

Padres 4, Diamondbacks 3

In San Diego, Jorge Cantu hit a three-run homer and Aaron Harang pitched seven solid innings to lead the Padres.

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United beats Chelsea to all but claim title

MANCHESTER, England — Javier Hernandez netted the 20th goal of a sparkling debut season at Manchester United in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday that put his team a point away from a record 19th English title.

The Mexico striker took just 36 seconds to score after Chelsea defender David Luiz failed to intercept Park Ji Sung's through ball. United captain Nemanja Vidic headed in another in the 23rd minute after connecting with Ryan Giggs' cross.

Frank Lampard pulled one back for Chelsea in the second half after Branislav Ivanovic flicked on Ramires' cross.

"We could've scored six in the second half, but we expected a tough game and we got a tough game," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We were brilliant — we got a great start but (Petr) Cech made some fantastic saves. When we gave the ball away for their goal, we were a bit nervy but the fans helped us."

United is now six points clear of Chelsea with two games to go and will regain the Premier League trophy from the London club with at least a draw at Blackburn on Saturday.

Ferguson constantly reminds his players — and has taunted rivals in the past — about how easy it is to fail with victory in sight by recalling the 1956 British Grand National.

Devon Loch was 40 meters from the winning post in the famous steeplechase when he collapsed to become one of the most infamous losers in British sporting history.

"Don't even mention Devon Loch — my dad backed that," Ferguson said.

But the 69-year-old Scot is already celebrating a 12th Premier League triumph and United surpassing the English record of 18 league titles it has held with Liverpool since 2009.

"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in the country," he said. "The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened, and we've been involved in the first two all throughout that period — it's a fantastic achievement.

"For the last 17 or 18 years it's been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it's been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing today has finalized it. We deserve the title and hopefully we'll get that point now."

United stamped its authority on Chelsea from kickoff, having already knocked Carlo Ancelotti's side out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals.

Giggs sent Park sprinting up the pitch and when Luiz missed his through ball, Hernandez coolly slotted past Cech.

Giggs was also heavily involved in United's second. The Welsh midfielder played a short corner and then retook possession, nipped neatly past Salomon Kalou and provided the perfect cross for Vidic to direct a downward header past Cech.

Lampard kept the game alive by steering in Ivanovic's header in the 68th, but Chelsea already looked beaten.

"In the first minute we lost the game, we started so badly," Ancelotti said. "It was very difficult after that to come back and try to win. The second half was better but United played better and deserved to win.

"We have to accept the defeat, today United were better and in general this season they were better than us."

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