Title race wide open after Ballack gives Chelsea win over Man Utd

Apr 26, 2008, 14:24 GMT

London - Michael Ballack scored a penalty five minutes from time as Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to blow the English Premier League title race wide open.

Wayne Rooney had equalised for United after Ballack had headed the London side ahead on half-time but after a hand-ball from Michael Carrick, Ballack converted from the spot to put Chelsea level on points with United at the top.

United have the superior goal difference but they must now win their two remaining games to be sure of retaining the title.

Knowing that a draw would put them firmly in charge, Sir Alex Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez on the substitutes' bench while Chelsea were without Frank Lampard, on compassionate leave.

Chelsea began the brighter, though, with Joe Cole hitting the bar on 20 minutes and they took the lead just on half-time when Didier Drogba did well before finding Ballack, who headed the opener.

Ten minutes after half-time, though, a calamitous piece of play from Chelsea handed United the equaliser.

After their side won a free-kick, Ballack passed it to Ricardo Carvalho, who was unaware and miscontrolled the ball. He tried to pass it to John Terry but Rooney got in first and shot past Petr Cech.

United brought on Ronaldo in search of the winner but Chelsea won the penalty six minutes from the end when Carrick handled a cross by Michael Essien.

Ronaldo had a shot cleared off the line by Ashley Cole and then substitute Andriy Shevchenko cleared a Darren Fletcher header off the line but Chelsea held on to leave the title race neck and neck.