Wayne Rooney goal not enough

Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd

CHELSEA drew level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League after the Reds slipped to a dramatic defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Ballack put the home side ahead just before half time with a powerful header and the Reds were struggling.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson's men came out with more purpose after the break and when Carvalho played a blind pass along the Chelsea backline, Wayne Rooney pounced to draw United level.

But with six minutes remaining, Michael Carrick was penalised for handball in the box and Ballack smashed home the spot-kick to re-ignite the title race.

To make matters worse for United, Rooney seemed to pick up an injury while scoring his goal and had to come off. United stay top of the league with a goal difference 17 better than Chelsea.

United, who left Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez on the substitute’s bench, were rocked in the ninth minute when Nemanja Vidic was stretchered off with a facial injury.

The United defender was caught by Didier Drogba’s knee as he stooped to head the ball clear and he was subsequently replaced by Owen Hargreaves.

The tempo, as expected, was fast and furious but goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.

Chelsea should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Joe Cole got clear of the United defence but after initially losing the ball, he lashed the ball against the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

The home side were well on top and thought they should have been awarded a spot-kick in the 34th minute when Drogba appeared to go down under a robust challenge from Mikel Silvestre.

But the referee emphatically waved away Chelsea’s appeals while United’s bench accused the Ivorian of taking a dive.

However, Chelsea took the lead in the 45th minute when Drogba’s cross was headed home at the far post by the unmarked Ballack.

The goal sparked emotional scenes as all the Chelsea players held up Frank Lampard’s number eight shirt with the message ’Pat Lampard - R.I.P’. Ballack who had taken his shirt off, was then booked by Wiley.

It was a tribute to Lampard’s mother who passed away from pneumonia on Thursday.

United were still struggling to create anything despite a better share of possession at the start of the second half.

United’s Brown found himself booked for a foul on Essien in the 52nd minute as, rather ominously for Chelsea, 38-goal Cristiano Ronaldo warmed up on the touchline.

But United got themselves back into the game thanks to a mistake by Chelsea defender Carvalho.

The Portuguese defender passed the ball straight to Rooney who accepted the gift by firing beyond Cech into the net.

Carvalho’s error could have already gifted United the title Ferguson, sensing perhaps that his side could finish the job, replaced a struggling Rooney with Ronaldo.

Seconds later Anderson was substituted for John O’Shea and Chelsea, knowing they had to get themselves back in front, added Nicolas Anelka into the mix in place of Paulo Ferreira.

The game erupted into controversy in the 84th minute when Wiley awarded a penalty for handball against Carrick.

The United midfielder got his arm in the way of Essien’s cross and Ballack kept his cool to score from the spot and keep the title race on the boil.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira (Anelka 66), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Obi, Essien, Kalou (Shevchenko 81), Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 87).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Belletti.

Booked: Ballack, Obi, Drogba.

Goals: Ballack 45, 86 pen.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (Hargreaves 14), Silvestre, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (O'Shea 65), Nani, Rooney (Ronaldo 63), Giggs.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Tevez.

Booked: Brown, Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Hargreaves.

Goals: Rooney 57.

Att: 41,828

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).