Robin van Persie struck a late equaliser at West Ham United for the second time this season as champions-elect Manchester United scraped a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Just as he had in the 2-2 FA Cup draw at Upton Park in January, van Persie found the net in front of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand to rescue United from being penalised for a sluggish display.

West Ham had looked set to earn a hard-fought win through a vicious strike from Mohamed Diame, who restored the hosts’ lead early in the second half after Antonio Valencia cancelled out Ricardo Vaz Te’s opener.

With second-place Manchester City having beaten Wigan Athletic, United now require six points from their final five games to secure a 20th English league title.

Their lead is now 13 points, but while a late collapse appears unthinkable, manager Alex Ferguson will be concerned by the apathy that has crept into his team’s play.

West Ham, meanwhile, climb one place to 11th – one point short of the 40-point mark – and their top-flight status seems all but secure.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is eager to tie on-loan striker Andy Carroll to a permanent contract and the Liverpool man demonstrated his worth with a brilliantly uncompromising display.