Manchester United 4 Charlton 1
Ruud van Nistelrooy's third hat-trick of the season sent Manchester United to the brink of their eighth Premiership title at Old Trafford this afternoon.
The prolific Dutchman fired home a 20-minute three-timer either side of the interval to take the Red Devils eight points clear of ailing Arsenal, who now require three wins in the last week of the season to force United to win their final day encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.
David Beckham, who could have been playing his last game at Old Trafford if rumours he could be sold this summer are true, marked the occasion with the opening goal as United ruthlessly turned the screw on title rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners now know they must win all three remaining games, starting with Leeds at Highbury tomorrow, to have any chance of overhauling United on the final day of the season.
As well as opening up an eight point gap at the top, United now have a four goal advantage in goal difference, meaning a draw in their final match at Everton on May 11th could be enough to clinch the title even if Arsenal do not slip up.
If United do go on to reclaim the title, they will owe a huge debt to their inspirational Dutch striker, who equalled his own club record by scoring for a ninth successive game and eventually lifted his tally for the season to 43 goals.
It also took his tally since joining United to a phenomenal 79 after what was his 100th appearance for the club.
Claus Jensen was Charlton's scorer, equalising two minutes after Beckham had put United ahead.