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Ballack brace puts Chelsea level with United

Two goals.
By Chris, April 29 2008
Chelsea have thrown the Premier League title race wide open with a 2-1 win over United at The Bridge. The home side won a bad-tempered contest thanks to a brace from Michael Ballack – with a superb strike from Wayne Rooney sandwiched between the German’s goals. The result puts Chelsea level on points with United – and questions have to be raised about Sir Alex Ferguson’s suspect team selection.


Ferguson left Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo out of his starting line-up; and was dealt a major blow eleven minutes into the game with Nemanja Vidic taken off with a horrific mouth injury. Wes Brown moved to centre-half, with Owen Hargreaves filling in at right-back.

United looked content to play for a point and spent most of the opening period on the backfoot. Joe Cole hammered a looping effort against the woodwork before a thunderbolt header from Ballack broke the deadlock just moments before the half-time whistle.

Fergie's men battled back after the break, however, and shellshocked Chelsea on 57 minutes as Wayne Rooney restored parity. The England forward pulled his groin as he charged through on goal but played through the pain barrier to rifle a superb effort passed Peter Cech. It was his final contribution - but a crucial one.

With the clock ticking down, United looked set to cling onto a point that would have had the suits at Soho Square fixing red, white and black ribbons to the Premier League trophy. However, Chelsea won a penalty on 84 minutes with Michael Carrick adjudged to have handled a Michael Essien cross. Ballack duly obliged from twelve yards - sending Van Der Sar the wrong way.

United came agonisingly close to snatching a dramatic equaliser but sadly it wasn't to be. Ashley Cole and Andriy Shevchenko both cleared efforts off the line in a frantic finale but the home side held on for all three points that could set up the most exciting title finale in years.

Chelsea still have to play Kevin Keegan's improving Newcastle and a Bolton Wanderers side fighting for their lives at the bottom. United's run-in - against Wigan and West Ham - looks a lot more comfortable. Our whopping goal difference keeps us in firm control and means Chelsea need to better our return in the final two games - but it could now be very, very tight.

Full Time - Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
Attendance - 41,828

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