Sat Apr 26 12:40:52 2008

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Ballack's double pulls Chelsea level with United

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London, England (Sports Network) - Michael Ballack's penalty kick in the 86th minute lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, keeping Chelsea's title hopes alive.

The win moves Chelsea level on 81 points with United, although the Red Devils still own a big edge in goal differential, meaning United would need to drop points in one of its final two matches against West Ham or Wigan for Chelsea to take over the top spot.

Ballack headed Chelsea in front right before halftime, but Wayne Rooney erased the opener with a goal in the 57th minute to level the match. However, United's Michael Carrick was called for handling Michael Essien's cross inside the area, and Ballack stepped to the spot and fired Chelsea ahead for good.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for the start of the match, but the manager had to make an early switch when Nemanja Vidic left the game in the ninth minute with a facial injury, forcing Ferguson to put Owen Hargreaves into the match.

Joe Cole caused problems for United in the first half and he looked dangerous on a number of occasions, but failed to score. Cole's best chance in the opening half came 20 minutes into the match when he got into the box and fired a shot off the crossbar.

The Blues were the better side over the first 45 minutes, and after Didier Drogba had a penalty appeal turned down in the 34th minute, he picked out Ballack at the far post for Chelsea's first goal right before the break.

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho let United back into the game after the restart when he gave the ball away to Rooney, and the striker ripped a shot past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

A draw would have given United a huge edge heading into the last two games, but Carrick's handball allowed Ballack to send goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar the wrong way, and Chelsea was able to withstand a late United surge that saw the Blues clear two shots off the goal line to preserve the win.

Sunderland secured safety with a stoppage-time winner as they beat Middlesbrough 3-2, while Fulham got two goals from Diomansy Kamara including the game winner in the 90th minute to overcome Manchester City 3-2. The result leaves Fulham four points from safety with two games to play, but they remain alive after Reading was held to a 0-0 draw by Wigan, and Bolton finished in a 1-1 tie with Tottenham.

Newcastle rallied from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with West Ham, while Liverpool spoiled Birmingham's afternoon with two goals in the last 30 minutes to also finish 2-2. The draw leaves Birmingham one point behind both Reading and Bolton as they fight to survive.