Tottenham 0 Manchester United 2
Having plundered three points from White Hart Lane, Manchester United moved a vital step closer to stealing an even more prized possession from another corner of North London.
Now five points clear of their main rivals, albeit having played a game more, United could be even further ahead if, as expected, they defeat Charlton at Old Trafford next Saturday.
Only Everton could thereafter prevent them winning the title back from Arsenal - and that is if the Gunners win their own remaining three matches.
This weekend may, indeed, therefore yet prove to have been the most pivotal of all this season. After all, for so long at White Hart Lane it looked as though United could face as much frustration as Arsenal in their costly 2-2 draw at Bolton 24 hours earlier.
They were by no means at their best and, with Spurs keeper Kasey Keller in inspired form, Ruud van Nistelrooy had missed five clear-cut chances to take his tally for the season to 40 goals.
But while so much fuss had understandably been made over David Beckham's omission from the starting line-up against Real Madrid, it was actually Paul Scholes who was at least as badly missed.
Beckham may have been back in the side at White Hart Lane, but so too was Scholes after a European ban.
While Beckham was involved in the build-up, it was Scholes who actually scored the all-important first goal with 22 minutes left to relieve the growing tension.
Van Nistelrooy finally found a way past Keller deep into injury-time and United celebrated as if they had one hand on the Premiership trophy.
The title is theirs to lose now.