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 06 July 2008 14:29 BST

Blues keep up pressure on United with win over Magpies

Monday, 05 May 2008 21:08
If Manchester United and Chelsea draw next Sunday, United will be champions by having a better goal difference of 17
The Premier League title race will go down to the wire after Chelsea beat Newcastle United 2-0 at St James Park.

Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda netted in the second half to move the Blues back on level points with Manchester United.

Chelsea have to beat Bolton Wanderers next Sunday and hope United slip up against Wigan Athletic to snatch the title.

Blues boss Avram Grant made five changes with Frank Lampard and Joe Cole on the bench, while Abdoulaye Faye returned from a groin injury to replace David Edgar for the Magpies.

In a lively opening, Michael Owen volleyed over from close range while Florent Malouda headed over for the visitors on nine minutes.

Nicolas Anelka, looking for his first goal in 17 appearances, went close with a left-footed shot that Steve Harper saved.

Kevin Keegan's side should have broken the deadlock on the half hour mark but spurned three chances.

Obefemi Martins' strike was blocked by Ricardo Carvalho, with Petr Cech saving Mark Viduka's shot on the ground while John Terry hooked Owen's shot off the line.

Both sides were guilty of wayward shooting in the closing stages of the half with Anelka poking a shot wide from 20 yards, while Michael Ballack blazed over from the edge of the box.

Joey Barton came on at the start of the second half for Viduka, who picked up an Achilles injury.

The Blues cranked up the tempo and looked dangerous at set pieces. Carvalho flashed a header wide, while Terry fired a header against the bar from Malouda's corner.

Grant's men broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Drogba's free-kick was headed in by the unmarked Ballack from seven yards, for his third goal in four games.

The German came close to his second goal 13 minutes later with a ferocious drive that Harper parried.

Chelsea sealed victory eight minutes from time when substitute Lampard threaded the ball through to Malouda who finished coolly for his first goal since October.

The Blues ran down the clock in the closing minutes to seal a crucial victory, and now head to Stamford Bridge to face Bolton hoping Wigan do them a favour at the JJB Stadium against United. End of story


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