Didn't see that one coming really did we? Or did we!?

On the back of two very strong league performances Carlo Ancelotti braved the critics and kept the same team as the previous weeks' drubbing of Villa. And to such great effect, Drogba coming on to score the much debated goal - quite clearly as offside as everybody has suggested, however where is Sir Alex Ferguson's anger at Macheda's equally obvious attempt at beach volleyball for their consolation goal?

What's the use in discussing the past, the press have over done it for the past two days, I think we need to start concentrating on the future of the league - and exactly what we are up against in the coming weeks.

2-1 = 3 (points) ©Getty Images

And what better way to do that than with a flurry of percentages and numbers!!! (Very akin to The Times' own Finktank).

Bolton: we have faced the Trotters 21 times in the Premier League, of these we have won 13 and lost only three times, the last time coming at the Bridge in 2003. Thus meaning we have won 62% of games against Bolton. We have also won the last three matches, scoring a total of 10 and conceding 3.

Tottenham: touted as one of two tough remaining games, we have an exceptional record against our London rivals and have faced them a total of 35 times in the Premier League, losing only two matches - both at the lane, and both in the last four years.

Incredibly that means we have won or drawn against the "almighty" Spurs in 94.3% of our matches in the last 18 years, with a total of 21 wins and 12 draws.

We haven't won in our last three matches at White Hart Lane (thus rendering its nickname of old, Three Point Lane, useless!). But still have only lost 12% of games in 18 years, not a terrible record at all.

Stoke: sitting prettily at 10th place are our third opponents Stoke, who out of 15 away matches this season have only won 3. More pleasingly, out of the paltry 3 games we have played against the Potters, we have a 100% record. Scoring 2 in each game, and conceding only 1 along the way.

Liverpool: on paper our most difficult tie to come, and our final home tie of the season, though it must be remembered that so far this season "The Big Four" ties have all been three-pointers.

In the Premier League out of 35 encounters we have won a total of 16 to Liverpool's 13, sharing the spoils only 6 times - which makes for an exciting game no matter the circumstances.

However our record at Anfield makes for slightly less pleasant reading, no wins since the 05/06 season (losing 2 and drawing 1), and only 3 wins in 17 visits to their place. A hideous 18%.

Wigan: Our final match of the season, and as with the last few matches - a potential title winner. Statistics see us in good stead for this one, out of 9 games we have taken all three points a total of 7 times, drawing and losing to the Latics just once a piece. The fact that Roberto Martinez's Blue and White army subjected us to a humiliating 3-1 away defeat earlier this season will hopefully be as fresh in the memories of the players' as it is in my number-filled-noggin!

So there you have it, as many numbers you can shake a stick at - and if I'm to be truthful, which I always am, I think the majority make for pretty good reading.

If we are to win the league it is clear that our trickiest match will be against our recent nemesis Liverpool, and although the numbers suggest that we may be up against it, the numbers of this season must be taken into account - which are Liverpool have drawn or lost in 53% of their games this season, compared to our 30%.

There is, as ever, one all important number. And that is 1. I'm certain after this weekend we can do it, I just pray that the numbers are with us.

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