But after an afternoon akin to walking a footballing tightrope Manchester United finally won the most captivating title race for years.

Spectacular goals from David Beckham and Andy Cole eclipsed a Tottenham side, who after taking the lead through Les Ferdinand went close to helping their fiercest rivals Arsenal retain the Premiership crown.

At the final whistle Alex Ferguson let out a euphoric shriek of ``Yes'' and was buried in a delirious scrum of his backroom staff. Beckham and David May kissed and hugged each other, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole rolled on the Old Trafford turf in delight.

Ferguson then raced on to the pitch to embrace each United player in turn.

And at precisely 6.12pm Manchester United captain Roy Keane wrapped his arms around the Premiership trophy, kissed it and held it aloft to the United faithful.

One down and two to go in the chase for the most formidable treble in British soccer history.

And as the inevitable Queen hit ``We are the Champions'' belted out across the Theatre of Dreams and acclaim rang out all around Old Trafford the feeling grew that this side is on the crest of a red and white wave which will not break until it has enveloped all the prizes on offer this thrilling season.

In typical fashion United made it difficult for themselves. Ferguson has often remarked that his talented team achieve things the hard way. But little worth having comes easily.

And if Ferguson acclaimed the strength of character displayed by his talented stars just how proud should they be of him.

It is Ferguson's fifth championship in seven years, a total which equals the record of the legendary Sir Matt Busby. It is his 10th major prize since arriving at Old Trafford 13 years ago - already two more than Sir Matt.

And in 10 days time Ferguson hopes to have closed within one trophy of Bob Paisley's record of 13 by adding the FA Cup against Newcastle next Saturday and his Holy Grail of the European Cup the following Wednesday.

If all three adorn the Old Trafford trophy cabinet before the month is out then there can be no argument which is the greatest team in British soccer history - and which is its most accomplished manager.

Forget, for a moment, the jealousy which pervades the parochial and partisan fan-base of British football and salute a team which is fast-becoming the envy of the world. Yes, the world.

The importance of the occasion prevented them from turning on the imperious style which they have displayed for much of this glittering Premiership campaign.

But still they had heroes - not least in the shape of terrier-like midfielder and captain Roy Keane, who led the fightback in typically rousing fashion when they had been stunned by Ferdinand's opening goal. Oh, how the suspended Keane will be missed in Barcelona.

They had Paul Scholes and Dwight Yorke, who worked tirelessly, Gary Neville and Denis Irwin such models of consistency and Peter Schmeichel, the big Danish goalkeeper playing his last competitive match at Old Trafford.

Much, of course, had been made of the irony of Spurs boss George Graham possibly helping his old club Arsenal, where he won six trophies in eight years before being shown the door over the infamous `bung' affair, to retain the Premiership title they won so gloriously last season.

And there had been suggestions, mostly from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, that sheer weariness caused by battling on three fronts would cause United to trip at the Premiership's final hurdle.

In the end it was all just so much hot air. United showed their passion, commitment and quality, as they have at every twist and turn of this thrilling season, out on the pitch.

And so to the story of the match before which Ferguson surprised us by putting his faith in Teddy Sheringham, the former Spurs striker, and leaving Cole on the bench as Old Trafford rocked and rolled with anticipation.

The fans were almost celebrating as early as the seventh minute when United came close to scoring what would have been one of the most bizarre goals of the season.

Spurs goalkeeper Ian Walker took his time with a routine kick from his six-yard box, only to see his punt crash against the advancing Yorke and spin agonisingly towards goal where it struck the post and rebounded into Walker's grateful arms.

If that was lucky for a Spurs side robbed of the talents of David Ginola with a calf injury after just eight minutes then there was nothing fortunate about the way Tottenham took the lead after 24 minutes.

A long floated ball found the head of Steffen Iversen who beat May in the air and sent the ball skidding into the path of Ferdinand.

The former England striker, who hadn't scored in 1999, shrugged off the attentions of Ronny Johnsen, stuck out a boot and instinctively lobbed the ball over Schmeichel, whose desperate attempts at retrieval left him entangled with the ball in the net.

Spurs 1-0 up and suddenly United's title party was in danger of being gatecrashed by Arsenal's fiercest rivals. Could this be a nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams?

But if United have proved anything this season it is that they are not a side to panic. Remember, this is the team that came back from two goals down against Juventus in Turin to clinch a place in the Champions' League final.

They surged forward and Walker was soon the busiest man in Manchester - the Spurs goalkeeper saving from Sheringham and at close-range from Scholes.

But just as it was beginning to look as if it might be one of those days Beckham brought United level with a goal whose build-up was shrouded in controversy.

Spurs maintained Tim Sherwood was fouled by Scholes in midfield but referee Graham Poll allowed the game to continue and Scholes' pass found Beckham unmarked in the penalty area.

Few players strike a ball as viciously as Beckham and the wicked swerving shot high into the Spurs net would have beaten any goalkeeper in the world.

Half-time - level at Old Trafford and level at Highbury and time for managerial master Ferguson to weave his cerebral magic.

Off came Sheringham, whose lack of pace was struggling to dent the Spurs defence. On came Cole and two minutes later Ferguson's grip on the Premiership had become vice-like after a goal fit to clinch any trophy.

Gary Neville's ball into the Spurs penalty area was ordinary enough, but the fashion in which Cole controlled it was extraordinary.

Two deft touches brought the ball under control. A third delicious caress of his right foot took it over Walker and into the net.

The sigh of relief which blew around Old Trafford was tempered by news of a goal by Nwankwo Kanu at Highbury.

But United's fate was back in their own hands and if only Paul `He scores goals' Scholes had been more decisive - or fortunate - with a header and two shots, all saved by Walker, United's party would have been swinging much earlier in this frenetic afternoon.

As it was Ferguson withdrew Scholes in the 69th minute for the more defensively-minded Nicky Butt - and the message was clear: What we have we hold.

To say the last 20 minutes were anxious is the understatement of the season. Iversen went close for Tottenham, but his scuffed shot bobbled into Schmeichel's arms.

And then there was Ferguson on the touchline, eyes popping, finger pointing at his temple as he exhorted his side to use their footballing brains for the most vital minutes of their careers.

They did and in the end the victory was just.

And while it was not plain-sailing the plane which dragged a banner across the Mancunian sky at the final whistle said it all - MUFC Carling Champions 1998-99.

Tottenham Hotspur: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Scales, Edinburgh, Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Ginola, Iversen, Ferdinand. Subs: Dominguez for Ginola, Sinton for Dominguez, Young for Scales Scorers: Ferdinand (24)

Referee: G Poll

Attendance: 55,189