Manchester United's title dream and Sunderland's Premiership life were snuffed out by a sensational goalless draw at Old Trafford.
If it is probable Sunderland will officially go down as the worst side the top flight has seen since the Premier League was launched in 1992, at least they will also be able to boast one of the most amazing results it has ever seen too.
After nine successive wins, which had raised genuine belief among United followers they could at least push Chelsea to the wire, the Red Devils championship charge came to a sorry end because of their failure to score against a team who have conceded an average of almost two a game throughout the season.
And the man chiefly responsible for the amazing blank was Kelvin Davis, pilloried repeatedly by his own supporters this term, yet choosing this occasion to produce the performance of his life.
Davis made at least half a dozen memorable saves, with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo all denied more than once. And not even the introduction of old favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could turn the game in United's favour as they slunk off in almost total disbelief.
Ronaldo was denied two glorious goalscoring chances by his own team-mates, with Ruud van Nistelrooy intercepting one Wayne Rooney pass before it reached the winger. Then Rooney himself ignored his better-placed team-mate in the final minute of the first-half, although he did force a fingertip save from Kelvin Davis.
Aside from that, United's only decent opportunities came through a Ryan Giggs free-kick, which Davis saved, and a Park Ji-sung shot which flashed wide.
Sunderland could hardly claim to have had tonnes of opportunities themselves, although Grant Leadbitter did waste a couple of good ones. However, what the visitors did do was make up for a lack of talent with hard work and discipline.