Chelsea bridge the gap

At a tense but expectant Stamford Bridge the two Premiership title challengers played out a vital encounter that has left the final outcome very much still in the balance ... albeit favouring Manchester United.

This is an unexpected scenario from the situation that faced both teams a month ago. Chelsea, however, have played relentlessly both at home and away to reduce the gap so it is now only goal difference that separates them at the top of the table.

The game started off well for the Londoners with lots of posession and some penetration and it appeared they were attempting to take advantage of having played their European game a day earlier and not in another country as United had done.

Ferguson had feared his players would be jaded and made several changes but this was still more or less the side that destroyed an in-form Arsenal at Old Trafford in the FA Cup six weeks ago. However, Nani and Anderson did not live up to their billing and from very early on the selection for this game looked flawed.

With Vidic substituted with yet another unlucky injury and Hargreaves looking vulnerable as his replacement Chelsea pushed forward and for the first 45 minutes United never looked like wresting the initiative. Just before half-time Ballack exposed these weaknesses and headed home a Drogba cross following some excellent work by the Ivorian.

Ferguson, not a man to easily admit he has made a mistake, made no changes and the second half began as the first. However, fortune often emerges at the most unlikely times and so it proved here as Cavalho, Chelsea's best defender, panicked at an unexpected pass and let in Rooney who brushed off Terry to finish expertly past Cech.

The momentum had shifted and United finally found their slick passing and took a firmer hold of the game. Avram Grant though has managed to keep the solid mental game in his players that Mourinho instilled during his management and with only five minutes remaining Carrick handled in the box and referee Wiley pointed to the spot. Not many neutrals would disagree but obviously Ferguson was incredulous at the decision.

It is though difficult to have any sympathy with the Scot as this is the first penalty awarded against his side all season in the league and it was without question a penalty. He complained that Ronalado should have had one for Ballack's manhandling in the box, but if this was given then most Premiership matches would see a dozen penalties in every game.

No, this was more a sign of frustration bordering on stress and this seemed to transfer to his players when after the game Ferdinand had to apologise for accidentally kicking a female steward and two other players scuffled with ground staff during their post match cool down.

These are tense times for United fans as the Championship has to be won again when it seemed only three weeks ago it was in the bag - but five points in 12 games have altered the landscape. Games at home to West Ham and away to Wigan should still ensure they end as champions especially as Chelsea have a tricky away game at Newcastle - but now the Londoners have some hope and many believe it is more than that.

Avram Grant on the eve of the game said that Ferguson's team were feeling the pressure and it is difficult following all these incidents to disagree with him.

If, as you are reading this, United have lost to Barcelona in last night's Champions League return leg then the wheels may come off completely and from an apparent hopeless position Chelsea may well steal in and win the double.

Ironically, if Grant takes his team to Moscow after seeing off Liverpool tonight and also pips United to the Premiership it will still be his job that is under most pressure ... but that is more an indication of the stranglehold Ferguson has over Old Trafford than the Israeli's deficiencies as a coach.

Whatever happens in the penultimate round of matches this weekend, it appears that the destination of the title, the European places and who is relegated will go to the last day and supporters, TV companies and football authorities can ask for no more than that.