Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester United
The title race is alive and well for Chelsea after a dramatic victory over Man United at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea dominated play in the first half, but it wasn't until just before half time that the Blues finally made their possession pay off with a goal. Michael Ballack was left unmarked in front of goal, and scored with a header from Didier Drogba's cross. Early in the game, United defender Nemanja Vidic was stretchered off with an injury after getting kneed in the face by Drogba. The contact was accidental, so no card was shown to Drogba.

As the second half began, Wayne Rooney began to limp with an apparent hip injury, but before he was substituted, he was gifted a goal scoring opportunity by Ricardo Carvalho. The Chelsea defender was surprised by a free kick from Michael Ballack and played the ball into the path of Rooney. The United striker drilled a low shot into the net, but he could only celebrate by pointing to his injured hip. Seven minutes later, he was replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo.

With less than ten minutes remaining, it looked like United would hold on for a vital draw, but Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Michael Essien's cross into the box hit Michael Carrick's arm. After delays from United keeper Van der Sar, which earned him a yellow card, Michael Ballack calmly sent the keeper the wrong way and converted the spot kick.

Five minutes of stoppage time still had to be played, though, and United twice came close to scoring. First, Ashley Cole cleared Ronaldo's shot off the line. And then Andriy Shevchenko of all people cleared Carrick's headed shot off the line. The final whistle was met with unconfined joy from the Stamford Bridge faithful as Chelsea's 2-1 win pulls them even with United on points with two games remaining. Even Avram Grant was smiling.

The happiness of the win for Chelsea was tempered by the loss of Frank Lampard's mother Pat. Lampard did not play in the match, but no doubt his teammates will dedicate the win to Frank and his family. Players from both clubs wore black arm bands to honor Pat Lampard, and after the match, Avram Grant said, "I want to express my sympathy to Frank. We thought about him in the game and the win is for him."

Despite their loss today, Man United still hold the goal difference tie breaker, so they can claim the title with two wins from their remaining two games. But any slip up on the part of United will now open the door for Chelsea. United play West Ham at home and then away at Wigan to end the season, while the Blues play at Newcastle and then at home to Bolton.

Pts - Club (Goal Difference)
81 - Man United (+53)
81 - Chelsea (+37)

2 comments

Comments:

Comment from: blizzard [Visitor] · http://young-arsenal.co.nr

Chelsea thoroughly outplayed Man Utd in this one:D

But bad news for Arsenal:S hopefully, they'll win next year...

I have an Arsenal blog and i want to publicize it... could you please add me to your blog roll, and i will do the same:D

Thanks!!!

27/04/08 @ 08:58

Comment from: Blackburn Hotels [Visitor] · http://www.ukhotel.com/north-west-england/blackburn.html

Chelsea thoroughly deserved to win against United. They were the better side and Ballack played amazing. surely now chelsea should be able to win the league, but united have the easier games and the better goal difference. so who will win. My moneys on Chelsea, C'mon the blues.

28/04/08 @ 11:06

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