It's boring! Chelsea win sets up a final day thriller but Kevin Keegan says big four are killing the game

Michael Ballack's opening goal inspired a comfortable 2-0 win at St James' Park yesterday, which means United travel to former captain Steve Bruce's Wigan knowing they must equal or better Chelsea's final result at home to Bolton to retain their crown.

But as the two leading clubs go into the final game level on points for the first time in the Premier League era, Keegan reflected on the state of the world's leading league and claimed it was impossible for an outsider to break into the top four.

He said: 'This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring, but great, leagues. It would be mad to say we will be in the top four next season. We are a million miles away from them.

'The top four will be the same as this year but what I can say to our fans is we will try to get fifth and win the other league that is going on.

'We should make a run at that and a fist for it, and providing the owner backs me — and I have no proof of that but no doubt he will — I can get four or five players in and we might win that second division of the Premier League.

'I don't want to mislead the fans. I have three years here and it won't happen while I'm here, realistically it is very tough to get in the top four.

'We've been talking to Michael Owen and I have never said to him we will get Champions League football or win the league, but fifth would be a massive achievement next season considering where we are now.

'The only games they lose are to each other. Not many sides outside the top four beat them but they are losing three games a season. When we won the Championship with Liverpool we lost eight and we were happy.'

While Keegan takes his side to Everton on Sunday, Grant and Chelsea face Bolton at Stamford Bridge and United travel to the JJB Stadium.

Chelsea boss Grant is convinced the current champions will get no favours from former captain Bruce, who won three titles at Old Trafford.

He said: 'Bruce won't give the game to United, I know that.

'United have had a fantastic season, played excellent football and normally they would be champions by now, but we gave them a battle.

'We want to believe that it can happen and we will fight until the last minute, but United are in the better position.'

Chelsea and United fans with Champions League Final tickets will be allowed into Russia for the May 21 game without a visa.