06/05/2008 2:44 PM
Chelsea and Fulham are normally bitter west London rivals in the English Premier League but come Monday morning they could be united in celebration at pulling off two of the greatest revivals seen in recent times in the EPL.
Just a few short weeks ago Chelsea looked doomed to finish in second or even third place as Manchester United looked set to stroll to its 10th title in 16 seasons and it's second in succession.
And its closest neighbours looked doomed to relegation at the beginning of April when the Cottagers were six points from safety.
But when the last day of the season kicks off at midnight on Sunday - Chelsea will go in level on points with United at the top of the table and Fulham even more remarkably will have its survival fate in its own hands.
The Red Devils - normally so composed in the run-in to the end of the season - have thrown away a five-point lead at the top of the table in recent weeks after first drawing with Blackburn and then losing to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
In fact since the start of January, it has been all Chelsea with the Blues unbeaten in their past 17 matches having won 13 and drawn four.
United in contrast has suffered three draws and two defeats during the same period while Arsenal - which will finish third regardless of the results in the last round having led the table for much of the season - has won just nine of its past 17 games, having drawn six and lost two during that period.
It is a remarkable recovery by Chelsea and its manager Avram Grant - who has also steered the Blues into their first European Champions' League final, against Manchester United, in Moscow on May 22 during the same period.
And if Chelsea can pull off the EPL and Champions' League double over the next fortnight, the low-key Grant will have achieved something even his cocky and successful predecessor Jose Mourinho failed to achieve.
While the odds are still in favour of United winning the title on Sunday, Chelsea has a fantastic chance of stealing the trophy on the last day of the season.
The Blues are home to Bolton, which is now safe from relegation, while United faces a tricky away trip to local rivals Wigan - who like Bolton has nothing to play for.
United may have thumped Wigan in their previous five league meetings but the underrated Latics have been in good form in recent weeks - having beaten sixth-placed Aston Villa away from home last week - and will relish the role as potential spoilers.
And don't forget back in 1995, United lost the title on the last day of the season to Blackburn when it was held to a draw at West Ham on a day when it needed to win away to secure the crown.
Fulham's revival has not attracted as much attention but has been equally spectacular.
In second last place for much of the season, the Cottagers have won three of their last four games - including crucial victories against the two teams they are fighting with to avoid relegation this weekend in Birmingham and Reading.
That has lifted Fulham to 17th place - one spot above the relegation zone - and if it wins on Sunday against Portsmouth it will be guaranteed survival even if Reading and Birmingham also win their final round matches.
And while a trip to Portsmouth's intimidating Fratton Park is normally the last place a team would want to go when fighting for survival, Fulham travel to the south coast of England at the ideal time as Pompey are firmly focused on the following week's FA Cup final in what will be their first appearance in the Wembley showpiece since 1939.
So it all adds up to possibly a night of celebration along the prestigious King's Road - which separates Chelsea from Fulham - on Sunday night for the EPL's two west London clubs.