Didier Drogba won't be a loss for only Chelsea, but for the Premier League as a wholeCongratulations to Chelsea. They are now European champions, and no one can ever take that away from them.

Few people, even the most partisan of Chelsea fans, would argue that the victory over Bayern Munich on penalties is proof they are the best team in Europe.

There was more than an element of good fortune in the way they got past Barcelona in the semi-finals and then beat Bayern in their own backyard, but they made their own luck with their hard work, confidence in their abilities and team spirit.

They have earned the right to bask in the glory of their victory — although attention will

Chelsea cannot afford to let the Champions League final go to penalties.

It is an English side against a German one - on Bayern's home pitch. There is only one winner there.

Although Bayern's penalties weren't brilliant against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, their goalkeeper certainly was, making astonishing saves from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Manuel Neuer has amazing size, speed and reflexes. I cannot see him coming out on the losing side if it goes all the way.

Chelsea have only won two out of nine penalty shootouts, and have the demons of Moscow in 2008 to contend with.

At least this

Manchester City have greatness within their graspIt may have taken right up until the final seconds of the season to decide it, but you have to say that Manchester City fully deserve their Premier League title.

The football they have played, some of the goals they have scored and the way they have destroyed so many teams this season all make them worthy winners.

Had Manchester United managed to retain the trophy instead, as looked the case for a long time on Sunday, then we all would have said they got away with it, that they managed to somehow sneak their way to a 20^th title. But, after Sergio Aguero's dramatic goal which was a winner both

Sir Alex Ferguson has gone big on the 'mind games' ahead of the Premier League finale tomorrow, but I do not think his comments will have any effect on Manchester City or QPR.

He has effectively tried to deliver Mark Hughes's team talk for him, which I'm sure Sparky appreciated! He called on QPR to emulate Fergie's Aberdeen side when they beat Real Madrid in 1983, and said that City might not recover from the mental scars if they mess it up.

But honestly, I don't think either side will have been listening, and neither needs reminding of the importance of tomorrow's game.

City have already

How did Manchester United get into a position where they will likely lose the title? Well, you can state the obvious and say the 4-4 draw at home to Everton when they let slip a two-goal lead late on, but there have been other glaring disappointments as well. Losing to Blackburn at home and away to Wigan were both terrible results while the 6-1 derby defeat to Manchester City certainly didn't help the goal difference.

There is still a chance that Manchester City will mess things up by failing to win at home to QPR on the final day, but only a very, very slim one. United have paid the price

Leading Chelsea out at Wembley for the FA Cup final on Saturday will no doubt be a very proud moment for Roberto Di Matteo, but the next couple of weeks will only be a final flourish in his brief career at Stamford Bridge.

The final against Liverpool is a great opportunity for Di Matteo - and no doubt a huge surprise too. Having been sacked by West Brom not much more than a year ago, the Italian is probably pinching himself constantly now he has an FA Cup final and a Champions League final to look forward to.

A great many managers go through their entire career without getting even close to

Nani and David Silva

This evening's Manchester derby has been billed as possibly the biggest game in the history of the Premier League. Given how close we are to the end of the season, with United and City still battling for the title, it is difficult to argue with that.

It's great for the Premier League to be able to deliver a fixture of this magnitude at such a key stage of the season. It has certainly got the broadcasters and sponsors buzzing. This is why so many companies plough so much money into the English game, for the exposure their names will get at times like this.

There are still two games to go after

Papiss Cisse and Demba BaEveryone has at least half an eye on Monday's huge Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, but there are plenty of other big Premier League fixtures to come before that potential title-decider this weekend.

Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea are all chasing a Champions League place, and with them facing Wigan, Blackburn and Queens Park Rangers respectively, these are three fixtures with huge implications at both ends of the table.

With Newcastle currently sitting in fourth, three points ahead of Spurs and four ahead of Chelsea with three games to play, you have to say that they are favourites to