The Times
May 6, 2008

Avram Grant sparks Chelsea into life
Newcastle United 0 Chelsea 2

Martin Samuel
Chief Football Correspondent

One of the teams performed a slightly self-conscious lap of honour at
the end of this match, but not the justified one. The bouquets and
plaudits deserved to be thrown and offered to Chelsea, whose players
have made what could have been a dismal, depressing season for English
football memorable for the right reasons.

Had the European Championship debacle been followed by disappointment
in Europe and a tired, predictable chase for the Barclays Premier
League title, the 2007-08 season might have fizzled out, a damp squib
from every angle. Instead, the first all-English final in the
Champions League will be preceded by the most exciting final day of
the league in the modern era, with Chelsea locked on points at the top
of the table with Manchester United, with all the delicious
permutations that implies.

No Premier League season has ever been this close, indeed, only two
have gone to the final day with the destination of the title still to
be decided, and statisticians were forced to trawl back through four
decades to find a final set of fixtures as beautifully poised.

The last comparable date was May 11, 1968, when Manchester United and
Manchester City were joined at the hip on 56 points at the top of the
old first division. Manchester United lost 2-1 at home to Sunderland,
Manchester City won 4-3 away to Newcastle United and the prize went to
Maine Road (although United stole their thunder, and how, in the
European Cup final some days later). There have been other occasions
when rival teams have played games in hand at a later date, collected
the trophy from a beach as Derby County did in 1972, or played
catch-up in an incredible head-to-head match as Arsenal managed to do
away to Liverpool in 1989, but in terms of nail-biting spectacle,
people with radios glued to their ears, false alarms and the potential
for emotional turmoil at opposite ends of the country, this is as good
as it gets.

Bookmakers, with their flint-hearted dedication to the bottom line,
make United odds-on favourites, thanks to a vastly superior goal
difference, but one slip, one hint of nervousness from the league
leaders away to Wigan Athletic and Chelsea are in position to take
advantage when they play at home to Bolton Wanderers. These three
points at St James' Park ensured that Sir Alex Ferguson will be made
to work to the end of his 38 matches if he is to retain his title,
which is as it should be, but so rarely is.

Set against Chelsea's achievement in turning what many regarded as a
foregone conclusion into something akin to Sherlock Holmes and
Moriarty fighting to the death on Reichenbach Falls, Newcastle's lap
of thanks to the supporters for their continued indulgence in treating
twelfth place as a big whoop seemed somewhat out of place. After
Michael Owen, the Newcastle striker, was denied by John Terry's
clearance off the line in the 28th minute, Newcastle were outplayed in
the second half once Chelsea's players had life breathed into them by
Avram Grant, the first-team coach, during the interval.

Until then, it had been a strangely listless affair, with Chelsea
seemingly unconvinced that the title was within their sights, and
failing to produce even a hint of a goalscoring chance before the 34th
minute, when Michael Ballack shot wide after failing to bring a pass
by Michael Essien under control in a good position. Nicolas Anelka was
equally ineffectual two minutes later and when Chelsea's players
returned to the dressing-room it was to be greeted with the rare sight
of a furious Grant, reminding them that this was no time for
half-measures.

A different Chelsea then emerged, with faint hearts such as Florent
Malouda suddenly efficient, particularly with set-pieces from the
right. In the 49th minute, Malouda's corner was headed wide by Ricardo
Carvalho, in the 53rd minute an identical delivery led to Terry, the
Chelsea captain, hitting the bar with a header. Shaken by Chelsea's
revival, Abdoulaye Faye, the Newcastle defender, dived in when
confronted with Malouda on the run and provided Chelsea with a
sufficient gap to conjure a grandstand finish next weekend.

The free kick was crafted or cock-up, depending on your point of view.
Malouda stepped over the ball, Didier Drogba stepped up, hesitated as
if slightly confused, took a pace back and curled in the ball,
directly on to the head of Ballack, who had lost Alan Smith, his
marker. Steve Harper, the Newcastle goalkeeper, had no chance and, the
odd skirmish around the Chelsea penalty area aside, the visiting team
barely looked troubled after that. Twice, in the 71st minute, Terry
cleared and Newcastle returned fire, but on the first occasion Obafemi
Martins shot wide and on the second Owen could not get a touch on an
effort by Nicky Butt.

After that, having weathered the briefest of storms, Chelsea set
course for home. The introduction of Frank Lampard as a replacement
for the woeful Anelka — he must be the only player who looks worse
having left Bolton to be a Champions League finalist — paid dividends
and, in the 81st minute, an exquisite exchange of passes, of a variety
we are frequently told Chelsea cannot play, ended with Lampard
slipping the ball through to Malouda, who scored the goal his
second-half performance deserved.

The sole worry for Chelsea took the form of a second-half injury to
Carvalho, the central defender, who was adequately replaced by Alex in
the short term earlier in the season. Long term, he is crucial if
Chelsea are to give the next three weeks their best shot and the mild
consternation on the Chelsea bench when he insisted on walking from
the field, rather than being carried, suggested as much. Tiny margins
have never been so important. One chance, one miss, one goal, one
mistake, might decide it.

So take a good look, missus, there will never be another one like
this. Well, not for 40 years, maybe.
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Star:

CHELSEA SHOW REAL BALLACKS!
6th May 2008 By Danny Fullbrook Newcastle 0 Chelsea 2

MICHAEL Ballack inspired Chelsea to take the title race to the bitter end.

When the Blues needed someone to step up to the plate, the German
delivered once again with the opening goal against Newcastle.

Frank Lampard had shown nerves of steel in the Champions League
against Liverpool, scoring the definitive extra-time goal which took
Chelsea to Moscow.

But yesterday at St James's Park, the whole of the Blues machine
showed real bottle to pile the pressure on Manchester United.

There was no way this lot were going to give in without a fight.

And now it is a toe-to-toe duel on the last day of the season.

Chelsea are at home to a now safe Bolton, while United take on Wigan
on a bumpy pitch at the JJB Stadium. Pick your winner.

Chelsea have chased and chased United and now the Premier League goes
into the final day with two teams separated at the top only on goal
difference for the first time ever.

Skipper John Terry revealed there were harsh words at half-time in the
Chelsea dressing room after an insipid first half from Avram Grant's
team.

The manager and his coaching staff slaughtered their team as they were
in danger of throwing away the points. But whatever was said, it
worked a treat.

Chelsea came out, revved up through the gears and simply blew Newcastle away.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team had faced the easier task of playing West Ham
at home at the weekend, when Alan Curbishley's team went down 4-1.

Chelsea knew they had to react and in the 60th minute they did just that.

Abdoulaye Faye fouled Florent Malouda on the right side of the penalty area.

Didier Drogba took a stuttering run-up to the free-kick and his
delivery found Ballack unmarked and the midfielder headed past Steve
Harper. Last season, the German was nowhere to be seen at this stage.

It was against Newcastle with four league games to go that he picked
up the controversial ankle injury which ruled him out of the run-in
and the Champions League semi-finals.

This time around he is firing on all cylinders.

Ballack scored the two goals against Manchester United last weekend in
a game Chelsea just had to win, and his breakthrough yesterday was
equally as important.

It was his ninth goal since Boxing Day when he returned from injury.
Ballack has been in this situation before, but this time he hopes it
will be a happy ending.

In 2002, when he was at Bayer Leverkusen, his team lost the German
Bundesliga on the last day of the season to Bayern Munich, the
European Cup Final to Real Madrid and even the German Cup.

Chelsea will hope the powerhouse midfielder will be their lucky omen
this time rather than a curse as an unlikely European Cup and Premier
League double is still in sight.

Nobody thought Chelsea really stood a chance when they were still five
points behind United in March.

But their second goal against Newcastle wrapped up the points to give
them a glorious chance to land their third title in four years.

Lampard, who had started the game on the bench, ended a mesmerising
passing movement in the 82nd minute by slipping the ball through to
Malouda.

As Harper came flying off his line, the French winger slid the ball
home under the goalkeeper's body for his first strike since the
opening day of the season when he scored against Birmingham.

The only downside for Chelsea was that Ricardo Carvalho was forced off
with what looked like concussion after a clash with Alan Smith. Grant
had made five changes from the starting 11 against Liverpool last
Wednesday.

Joe Cole was on the bench, while Salomon Kalou, Ashley Cole and Claude
Makelele were omitted.

In the opening half it looked like it was a change too far, especially
as Nicolas Anelka was played wide right rather than up front.

The result was a disjointed first half in which Kevin Keegan's team
should have taken the lead.

Their best opportunity came in the 28th minute when John Terry cleared
brilliantly off the line.

Newcastle's three-man strike force of Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka and
Michael Owen combined to create a great chance.

First, Martins chested down Jose Enrique's long ball in the area,
before it ran through to Viduka.

The Australian's shot was saved by Petr Cech, who raced off his line.

With bodies strewn about the Chelsea penalty box, a fast-arriving Owen
side-footed his effort towards the right-hand corner of the unguarded
goal.

But Terry anticipated the danger and moved across the goal-line to kick clear.

Owen had Newcastle's other great opportunity of the opening 45 minutes
when Nicky Butt
lifted a ball over the top of the Chelsea defence.

The little England striker chose to volley it first time but cleared
the bar instead of threatening Cech's goal.

It was all change after half-time as Carvalho headed over and then
Terry hit the crossbar before Ballack's goal.

Whatever happens now, more bums than ever will be squeaking on the
final day of the season.
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Telegraph:

Chelsea prove they are the real deal
By Henry Winter at St James' Park

Newcastle United (0) 0 Chelsea (0) 2

Manchester United remain favourites for the title, courtesy of their
superior goal difference, but such is the closeness of the race that
the Premier League have ordered that two sets of winners' medals be
minted for 'Showdown Sunday'.

The real trophy is being taken to the JJB Stadium, where United face
Wigan Athletic this weekend, but the Premier League are leaving
nothing to chance and will have a replica at Stamford Bridge, where
Chelsea host Bolton Wanderers.

This may simply be a copy of the original, but there is nothing fake
about an enthralling championship chase involving the thoroughbreds of
Chelsea and Manchester United.

Whatever the displeasure within football over the way in which Avram
Grant replaced Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, nothing can detract from the
reality that his strong, lean machine of a team are pushing United all
the way to the line.

Grant acted decisively at a key moment yesterday, demanding his
players raise their tempo at the break, and also making a significant
tactical switch that built the platform for this deserved victory.

As if heralding Grant's change, the St James' DJ played Pink Floyd's
Shine On You Crazy Diamond and it was a diamond formation that duly
glistened for Chelsea. With a narrow midfield, and Michael Ballack in
the hole behind Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea laid siege
to Newcastle's area, pouring through the middle in blue waves.

Cometh the hour, cometh the German: Ballack headed home his ninth of
the season before Florent Malouda added a second. In all probability,
United will need to win at Wigan, because Chelsea surely boast too
much belief and firepower for Bolton.

In the run-up to Sunday's date with destiny, the conspiracy theorists
will have a field day with the Wigan-United game coming under the
microscope. Anyone who knows Wigan's manager, Steve Bruce, will
realise that it is not in his mentality to tell his players to ease
up, simply to help out his old United manager.

Bruce's first love, Newcastle United, only briefly threatened to do
Ferguson a favour yesterday. Before the sheer power and quality of
Grant's players ground them down, Newcastle's hopes flickered
brightest in the earliest stages.

Looking organised and confident in Kevin Keegan's 4-3-1-2 formation,
Newcastle did sit a little deep, but their work-rate was impressive,
with Joey Barton a disciplined, energetic presence in midfield and
even Mark Viduka tracking back to put a tackle in. Keegan's verdict on
the team's future, with Shangri-La being fifth place, seemed gloomy.
Michael Owen and company have perked up under Keegan.

Pulling the strings behind Viduka and Obafemi Martins, Owen's clever
movement occasionally caught out John Terry and his fellow defenders.
When he raced on to Nicky Butt's lob over Chelsea's back four, the
Gallowgate stood in anticipation of an expert finish, but Owen flicked
his volley into a frustrated crowd.

Martins' wriggling runs often lacked thought but his pace and touch
also worried the visitors. And if Habib Beye had got his radar
working, Newcastle would have been ahead.

Certainly Chelsea were indebted to Petr Cech and Terry to thwart
Newcastle midway through the half. Cech spread himself brilliantly to
block Viduka's shot but still the danger did not ebb. Owen, fastest to
the rebound, shot goalwards but there was Terry, the rock of ages,
stationed on the goal-line to clear.

It was the type of determined defending that has characterised Terry's
career, but it also showed his intelligence, instantly realising that
Cech was exposed on saving from Viduka; Terry immediately dropped back
to protect the untended goal. Such tiny details shape a game's
destiny.

Down the other end, Steven Taylor relished his physical duel with
Didier Drogba. Even a late challenge from the Chelsea striker, who
left his foot in on the Newcastle centre-half, must have felt almost
like a compliment to Taylor, albeit a painful one.

So Chelsea seized control. Michael Essien, again outstanding, this
time in a midfield role, shot wide. Ballack skewed an effort wide. So
did Anelka. John Obi Mikel fired over. Only Nicky Butt's wonderful
tackle then thwarted Drogba. When Viduka hobbled away at the break,
Chelsea's hopes increased.

The siege began. Ricardo Carvalho headed wide. Terry headed Malouda's
inswinging corner on to the bar. TWith an impressive away contingent
raising the steel rafters of St James', the black-and-white dam
finally yielded on the hour.

When Abdoulaye Feye clipped Malouda's heels on the edge of the area,
the Frenchman dummied the free-kick and Drogba lifted the ball in.
Ballack, so deadly in the area, escaped from Alan Smith to glance an
unstoppable header past Steve Harper.

The lead gained, Grant removed Anelka, introducing Frank Lampard, who
received warm applause from Newcastle fans following the recent tragic
death of his mother. Lampard ran into midfield and ensured Chelsea
kept the ball and the lead.

One scare needed negotiating, Owen prodding Butt's pass just wide, but
the force remained with the Blues. When Lampard gained possession with
eight minutes remaining, the England international beautifully slid
the ball down the inside-left channel and Malouda swept Chelsea's
second past Harper.

Down at the Premier League HQ, two miles from the Bridge, plans were
being changed for the final weekend. "The practical difficulties of
the title race going into the final day of the season means that the
Barclays Premier League trophy will be on stand-by at both the JJB
Stadium and Stamford Bridge," said a Premier League spokesman last
night.

By dusk next Sunday, when the dust has settled on a thrilling season,
a set of unused winners' medals will head for the furnace as the
Champagne corks pop elsewhere.

Premier League last-day deciders

1994-95: Blackburn lost 2-1 at Liverpool but were still crowned
champions as they finished one point ahead of Manchester United, who
drew 1-1 at West Ham.

1995-96: United clinched the title with a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough,
finishing four points clear of Newcastle, who had squandered a
12-point lead and drew with Tottenham on the last day.

1998-98: United fell behind at home to Tottenham but won 2-1, taking
the championship by a point from Arsenal, who beat Aston Villa at
home.

2007-08 deciders: Sunday: Wigan v Manchester United, Chelsea v Bolton.
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Indy:

Newcastle United 0 Chelsea 2: Ballack drives Chelsea onward to set up
tightest of title finales

By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent
Tuesday, 6 May 2008

They are the shadow across Old Trafford. Their pursuit of Manchester
United has been relentless and they will not be flicked aside to
accommodate a convenient procession for Sir Alex Ferguson's would-be
champions. If Chelsea told us one thing yesterday, it is that United
will have to beat Wigan Athletic on Sunday to be sure of the title
because these boys in blue are in no mood to capitulate until the very
last moment of the season.

The Premier League title race goes to the last day with the two main
protagonists level on points for the first time in the top flight
since 1968 – when Manchester City edged out Manchester United for the
title.

Ferguson can never have believed that it would be a matter of goal
difference that would separate his team from the rest but that is in
all likelihood what he must hope for, because no one seriously
believes that the great blue machine will falter at home to Bolton
Wanderers on Sunday. For Ferguson it will be like winning an election
on second preference votes, but by now he will settle for victory on
any terms.

Avram Grant's team are the form side of the Premier League, rumbling
along like the Jose Mourinho team of old and seemingly capable of
everything but overturning a Manchester United goal difference that is
17 goals better off than their own. Chelsea will need a cricket score
to win the title if United beat Wigan – a margin of 18 goals should do
it if Ferguson's team win, let's say, 1-0.

But there is plenty for Ferguson to worry about should his side not
rise to the occasion at Wigan. The JJB Stadium is not exactly regarded
as one of English football's most passionate crucibles of history and
pride, but come Sunday it will be the stage for a cliffhanger of a
game of such significance that Ferguson's old end-of-season "squeaky
bum" description does not do it justice.

There is nothing for Chelsea to lose and everything for Manchester
United to toss away. If Ferguson's team blow it, then their trauma
will undoubtedly set the tone for the European Cup final in Moscow 10
days later. He is up against Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager and a
Manchester United player for nine years of his distinguished career.
Bruce left United in 1996 with his third Premiership winners' medal,
although not before he had seen his club throw away a title at Upton
Park the year before when they failed to beat West Ham and ceded the
league to Blackburn Rovers on the last day of the season.

With a win Bruce's team could still take 12th place from Newcastle,
although if Wigan are victorious on Sunday it is fair to say that will
not be what everyone remembers from the day.

It is Grant who has won 15 and drawn five of his last 20 Premier
League games, an extraordinary record in anyone's terms. Yesterday the
Chelsea manager protested that his team were "human beings, not
computers" when he was asked to explain their below-par first-half
performance.

In the second half they played much more as if they had been
programmed by computer, unyielding and remorseless in their
dispatching of Newcastle.

Once again it was Michael Ballack, a man who epitomises the vorsprung
durch technik element of Chelsea better than any other and the man who
scored his side's first goal. The Germany international is flourishing
at the end of the season, driving his team on, and ironically it may
have much to do with what happened at St James' Park a little more
than a year ago that has played a part in his rejuvenation.

On 22 April 2007 he was carried off the pitch with a chipped bone in
his left ankle that threatened to end his career. He did not play
again for Chelsea until 19 December and is performing now like a
player who is reaching the peak of this season rather than one who is
hanging on for dear life at the end. This was his third goal in his
last two league games, including the two in the win over Manchester
United 10 days ago. Ballack's goal just after the hour was simply
nodded past Steve Harper with the merest twist of his neck, a
beautifully worked free-kick from the right from Didier Drogba that
found its target perfectly. Perfect in so much as the Ivorian had only
to stagger his run-up slightly to confuse the Newcastle players in the
area. It was those Manchester United old boys Nicky Butt and Alan
Smith whom Ballack eluded so easily and in that moment was distilled
much of Newcastle's insipid performance.

Michael Owen did have a shot cleared off the line by John Terry in the
28th minute but that was really Newcastle's only attack of any note.
They bid their farewell to St James' Park for the season at the end of
the game with a kind of embarrassment – so desperate had much of this
game, the second half in particular, been for them. Kevin Keegan's
name boomed down from the stands, the devotion of his own supporters
the one thing the Newcastle manager has that Grant could conceivably
envy.

Even so, Grant meddled with the Chelsea team at his peril yesterday.
Nicolas Anelka was sent out to play on the right side of midfield and
did a good job of playing himself out of contention for the European
Cup final team.

He will not be eligible to play against Bolton under the terms of his
January transfer. The biggest worry for Grant will be the back injury
to Ricardo Carvalho which forced his substitution. He is one player
they cannot be without in Moscow. Florent Malouda tucked in the second
goal eight minutes from time when he was played in by Frank Lampard
who started the game on the bench.

From an inauspicious start, Chelsea had taken this game by the throat
and come to dominate it. In that sense it was rather like the title
race itself, although in that particular competition it is Manchester
United who hold the whip hand. They, after all, have the goal
difference. But it is Chelsea who have the momentum.

Goals: Ballack (61) 0-1; Malouda (82) 0-2.

Newcastle United (4-3-1-2): Harper; Beye, Taylor, Faye, Enrique
(N'Zogbia, 78); Geremi (Duff, 71), Butt, Barton; Owen; Viduka (Smith,
h-t), Martins. Substitutes not used: Cacapa, Forster (gk).

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho (Alex, 79), Terry, Bridge;
Mikel; Anelka (Lampard, 66), Essien, Ballack, Malouda; Drogba
(Shevchenko, 86). Substitutes not used: J Cole, Cudicini (gk).

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Booked: Newcastle Faye, Enrique; Chelsea Terry, Malouda.

Man of the match: Ballack.

Attendance: 52,305.

United or Chelsea?

To win the title, Chelsea must win while Manchester United lose or
draw, or draw while Manchester United lose. If both teams win, lose or
draw, Manchester United will win the title owing to their vastly
superior goal difference.

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Mail:

Blues brothers Ballack and Malouda keep Chelsea's hopes alive with
victory at Newcastle
Newcastle 0 Chelsea 2

By MATT LAWTON

As well as having a team that continues to match Sir Alex Ferguson's
men stride for stride, Avram Grant appears to possess a hairdryer as
well.

He said he gave Chelsea's players something of a rollicking during the
half-time interval here yesterday and, my, how well it worked. Two
goals, the extra two points they needed and the chance to really pile
the pressure on to Manchester United.

Until then, Chelsea seemed to be struggling. Exhausted, no doubt,
after 120 minutes of intense Champions League battle with Liverpool
that followed the previous weekend's fiercely contested league
encounter with United.

Either that or they had watched United crush an inept West Ham side on
Saturday and convinced themselves that there is no way they will drop
points at Wigan this weekend.

Ever the optimist, Grant clearly did not see it that way. Not least
because he had rested six of those who started at Stamford Bridge
during the week.

Even if the championship remained, and indeed remains, very much in
United's hands, it had not yet slipped from their grasp and Grant
clearly made the point. Does he show his temper? 'Sometimes,' he said
yesterday.

Kevin Keegan might now be bored to tears, but what an afternoon Sunday
promises to be. Very much a case of what Ferguson calls 'squeaky bum
time' and far more so for United than it will be for Chelsea. United
have everything to lose, Chelsea everything to gain.

This provided further evidence to support Grant's recent claim: that
Chelsea are coming into form at exactly the right time; that they have
returned to their ruthlessly efficient best with that deadly
combination of power and predatory precision.

Certain players now appear invincible, not least Michael Ballack. He
scored both goals against United and added another in the 61st minute
yesterday, seizing on Didier Drobga's cleverly executed free-kick with
an impressively simple header.

At the business end of the season, Ballack is clearly cashing in on
the rest that coincided with an eight-month injury absence between
April and December last year.

The German looks frighteningly fresh and every bit as dominant as he
has for club and country in the past.

When you look at Chelsea's midfield — at Frank Lampard, John Mikel
Obi, Claude Makelele and Michael Essien as well as Ballack, you look
at an immensely strong and physical unit that will worry Ferguson in
the Champions League Final in Moscow.

If matches are won and lost in midfield, United seem to have their
work cut out.

Lampard has had much to contend with in the wake of his mother's death
and it was said yesterday that he was too mentally drained to start
this match.

When he did come on, however, he was also terrific, delivering a quite
brilliant pass that enabled Florent Malouda to add a second goal for
Chelsea in the 82nd minute.

Judging by this, Chelsea will beat Bolton easily on Sunday and United
must realise as much, just as they must realise that only a win will
do at the JJB Stadium against a side that have already damaged
Chelsea's title challenge with that 94th-minute equaliser at Stamford
Bridge last month.

That said, things were different then. Wigan still needed points to
protect their Barclays Premier League status and it is a former United
captain rather than a Chelsea one who manages them.

Steve Bruce covered his office wall in photographs from Old Trafford
when he was in charge at Bramall Lane and the idea of him now denying
Ferguson a 10th Premier League title will be unthinkable for some.

Will he not remember how he felt at Upton Park in 1995, when defeat
against West Ham handed the title to Blackburn?

Grant said he believes in the sporting 'tradition' of the English game
and for that reason he was determined to see his side make this the
most exciting end to a season in years.

His side began the match poorly and were lucky to survive an early
scare when John Terry denied Michael Owen with a clearance off the
line.

But a few harsh words and a slight tactical reshuffle after the break
and Chelsea were a completely different side.

From the right flank they were particularly dangerous, having
threatened first with a header from Ricardo Carvalho and then with an
effort from Terry that struck the crossbar.

When Abdoulaye Faye then brought down Malouda, Drogba delayed his
free-kick for a split second, the Newcastle defence fell for it and
Ballack nipped in ahead of Alan Smith to head his side into the lead.

After that, as well as the goal from Malouda, came the changes that so
depressed Keegan. On went Lampard.

On went '£28million' Andriy Shevchenko.

And on marched Chelsea towards what everyone except Keegan will
consider a thrilling finale next weekend.

NEWCASTLE (4-3-1-2): Harper 6; Beye 5, Taylor 6, Faye 5, Enrique 5
(N'Zogbia 78min); Geremi 5 (Duff 71, 6), Butt 6, Barton 6; Owen 6;
Viduka 5 (Smith 45, 5), Martins 5.

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech 7; Ferreira 6, Carvalho 7 (Alex 79), Terry 7,
Bridge 6; Essien 7, Obi 6, Ballack 8; Anelka 5 (Lampard 66, 7), Drogba
7 (Shevchenko 86), Malouda 6. Booked: Terry, Malouda.

Man of the match: Michael Ballack.

Referee: Steve Bennett.
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The Guardian,
Chelsea make the case for a grand finale
Newcastle United 0
Chelsea 2 Ballack 61, Malouda 82

Kevin McCarra at St James' Park

Chelsea yet again paced themselves beautifully to stay in step with
Manchester United. The reigning champions cannot exactly dread
Sunday's trip to Wigan Athletic when a victory will secure the title
on goal difference, but they will go there with a discomfiting sense
of claustrophobia because of Avram Grant's team. Breathing space
ceased to exist when Sir Alex Ferguson's squad lost at Stamford Bridge
10 days ago.

Newcastle United could not divert Chelsea from their course and
received confirmation of their suspicion that recent improvement
reflected the limited nature of the opposition. The scope of Grant's
squad is great. The players may have been harangued at half-time but
it had always been probable that their talent would break loose at
some point.

For the first time the Premier League goes into its final day with two
clubs divided purely by goal difference. Chelsea had no doubt they
would bring the competition to a head in that manner and felt free to
alter the line-up so that Frank Lampard cropped up merely as a
substitute and Joe Cole did not take to the field at all.

That expertise included the element of calculation that undid
Newcastle. The opener, after an hour, had its origins in the free-kick
that Florent Malouda induced from Abdoulaye Faye. After that came some
feigned hesitation to fracture the defence's concentration before
Didier Drogba lifted the ball in for Michael Ballack to get in front
of the substitute Alan Smith and tuck a downward header into the net.

Newcastle did have sporadic opportunities, usually involving Michael
Owen. Early in the match he had volleyed over on the turn after a high
ball over the back four by Nicky Butt. After 28 minutes Josι Enrique's
cross was forced against Petr Cech by Mark Viduka and the rebound was
met by Owen, but Terry blocked the attempt on the line.

The scavenger's instinct is undiminished in Owen and no one else on
the field would have caught the scent of a goal as he did in the 73rd
minute when he hared after a skipping mis-hit drive from Butt, but
could do nothing more than help it over the byline. Not even the
injury that forced Ricardo Carvalho from the field after 80 minutes
awakened a faith in an equaliser among the home support.

Two minutes afterwards Chelsea put on a demonstration of their
formidable ability. That incident alone could have provoked Kevin
Keegan's doom-laden observations about the eternal domination of the
existing top four. Still, the passing between Michael Essien, Ballack
and Lampard was sharp and so absorbed defenders that they barely
noticed Malouda moving into space to gather a ball from the England
midfielder and shoot low past Steve Harper.

The race for the title is not making Keegan's pulse race. He has
evidence to underpin an argument about the predictability of the upper
reaches of the table now and, in his opinion, for all time. Keegan, of
course, had no reason to reflect that there seems to be even fewer
feasible contenders for the title in, say, Italy or Spain than there
are in England as each new campaign starts.

This Premier League will come to a close in a blaze of public
fascination with Sunday's drama. Much of the football population is
sure to express a dislike for the vulgar affluence of Chelsea and, for
that matter, United but that will not stop anyone from being intrigued
by the outcomes at the JJB stadium and at Stamford Bridge, where
Bolton Wanderers will be vastly relieved that, thanks to goal
difference, they are in effect relegation-proof.

The experience in the Chelsea ranks was telling when the time came to
impose themselves. A bawling-out in the dressing room did no harm but
the potential had to be lurking in the side if it was to be tapped.
There was an immediate crispness as the passes continually found their
target and Newcastle were allowed no respite.

There was the uncommon sight, too, of Drogba and Nicolas Anelka as a
pairing in the middle of the attack. The Frenchman had not begun a
match in the same line-up as the Ivorian since the Carling Cup final
on February 24 and even then he had opened, as he did yesterday, in a
wide role.

It would be appealing to see how Anelka and Drogba evolved as a
pairing, particularly since their talents are so complementary.
Nonetheless it is a combination that will probably be denied the right
to evolve. There is scant appetite in modern football for risk-taking
in attack. Chelsea, even so, are an outstanding side and they are due
gratitude for an absorbing pursuit of United that barely appeared
feasible during the disruption when Jose Mourinho made way for Grant.

Tightest for 40 years

Chelsea's victory means that for the first time since 1968 the two
leading teams in the top division will go into the final day of the
season level on points. Forty years ago Manchester United and
Manchester City were neck and neck as they began their last matches on
May 11. City, under the joint management of Joe Mercer and Malcolm
Allison, won the championship after securing a dramatic 4-3 win
against Newcastle United at St James' Park. Their local rivals were
beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford by Sunderland but went on to reach the
final of the European Cup, in which they defeated Benfica.
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Express:

GRANT STILL ON THE LEVEL WITH FERGIE

By Niall Hickman Newcastle 0 Chelsea 2

SIR ALEX Ferguson and Kevin Keegan might not be bosom buddies, but
that nearly changed yesterday as the Chelsea machine spluttered to a
victory that keeps the title race open to the final day of the season.

The Blues were not at anything like their best. And if Michael Owen
had shown anything like his clinical form of recent weeks we could be
talking about the title being in Manchester United's locker already.

As it is, Avram Grant's Chelsea bravely kept their hat in the ring
with goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda.

Keegan's Magpies were certainly fired up. Although Chelsea endured a
scare, this 2008 version under Grant are experienced in the dark art
of winning while not playing at their best – just as they were with
Jose Mourinho.

Owen fluffed entirely convertible chances including an early miss that
suggested it was not going to be his day. But Newcastle should not be
chastised as they put in 90 minutes of absolute effort.

What they were up against is a team who can turn it on like a tap.
Chelsea looked a bedraggled outfit in the first half but for 15
minutes after the break they ran the show, and it was then that
Ballack produced his crucial opener.

To their credit, Newcastle fought back. But the visitors weathered the
storm and came up trumps in the end with a strike of spellbinding
class through Malouda. Maybe it was even a goal good enough to win the
title.

Grant chose a strange line-up by reducing regulars Frank Lampard and
Joe Cole to the bench. Lampard attended his mother's funeral on Friday
while Cole has been somewhat subdued in recent weeks.

Newcastle manager Keegan kept faith with the ultra-attacking 4-3-3
formation that has secured his club's Premier League status via a
seven-match unbeaten run.

A full house greeted the players, with Chelsea knowing that defeat
would hand the title to United. All the Old Trafford players who have
been texting one-time team-mate Nicky Butt in the past week were
nearly jumping off their armchairs as Owen could, and maybe should,
have presented Newcastle with an early lead.

Butt sand-wedged a delightful through-ball to Owen, who caught Chelsea
napping only to sky his volley high and wide with just Petr Cech to
beat.

The response was an inaccurate punt on goal from roughly similar
territory by Malouda, but it was the Magpies who were making all the
early inroads.

Owen had another chance, but this time he was thwarted by John Terry.
Mark Viduka's shot was brilliantly blocked by Cech, but the loose ball
fell kindly to Owen, who from 12 yards tried to pick his spot only to
see the recovering Terry make a terrific stop on the line.

Chelsea looked second best and Terry's booking, for a blatant body
check on Owen, underlined their frustrations.

Like all high-class teams, though, they regrouped and before half-time
gave a hint of what was to follow.

Malouda found Ballack on the edge of the box. The German might be
renowned for his coolness under pressure – witness his spot-kick
against United a fortnight ago – but on this occasion he controlled
the ball badly and sliced his shot wide.

A period of pressure led to Terry smacking the bar with a firm header
from Malouda's corner. Then, though, Chelsea took the lead.

Abdoulaye Faye handed the Blues a free-kick on the right flank, which
Didier Drogba delivered into the box. Ballack rose above substitute
Alan Smith and headed home.

Obafemi Martins fired inches wide and Butt's mis-hit shot seemed
certain to be converted by Owen only for the striker to fail yet
again. But Chelsea made sure of a nail-biting end to the championship
race – locked together with United but behind on goal difference – as
a simply breathtaking five-man move began with Terry and finished with
the ball in the back of the net, courtesy of Malouda's confidence in
front of goal.

They have gone 20 league games without tasting defeat – title form indeed.

Newcastle (4-3-3): Harper; Enrique (N'Zogbia 78), Beye, Faye, Taylor;
Butt, Barton, Geremi (Duff 71); Owen, Martins, Viduka (Smith 46).
Booked: Enrique, Faye.

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho (Alex 79), Bridge;
Malouda, Mikel, Ballack, Essien; Drogba (Shevchenko 87), Anelka
(Lampard 66). Booked: Malouda, Terry. Goals: Ballack 60, Malouda 82.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
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Mirror:

Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea: The title race goes to the wire

Michael Ballack was again Chelsea's hero as the Londoners took the
Barclays Premier League title race down to the final game of the
season.

The German, whose double against Manchester United last week took them
level with their rivals at the top, broke a stubborn Newcastle with a
crucial 60th-minute opener at St James' Park.

But it was not until Florent Malouda added a second eight minutes from
time that the points were safe as the spirited Magpies did their best
to preserve a seven-game unbeaten run.

They had needed the help of the crossbar to keep out John Terry's
53rd-minute header, but had it not been for the Chelsea skipper's
goalline clearance 16 minutes before the break, Michael Owen would
have fired the home side ahead.

Newcastle had their chances to level as time ran down with Obafemi
Martins seeing his blistering effort deflected just wide by Ricardo
Carvalho.

However, Chelsea's class was ultimately made to tell on a day when
Kevin Keegan was given the best illustration yet of how far his side
has to go to compete an a level playing field with the big boys.

Avram Grant's men head into next weekend's clash with Bolton knowing
victory might not be enough to lift the trophy if United win at Wigan,
because of their inferior goal difference, but they have a chance.

It was perhaps testament to the turnaround in fortunes engineered by
Keegan on Tyneside that his opposite number opted to change formation
as well as personnel in the search for three points.

Out went Ashley Cole, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and
Salomon Kalou from the side which clinched a place in the Champions
League final and in, among others, came Malouda and Nicolas Anelka.

They were deployed in a three-pronged front line either side of Didier
Drogba, but such was the tenacity with which the Magpies defended,
none of the trio managed to put pressure on goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Indeed, their best chance of the first half fell to Ballack 10 minutes
before the break when he ran onto Michael Essien's measured pass, but
sliced a left-foot shot harmlessly wide.

In fact, most of the half's better chances fell to Newcastle, who
perhaps made more of a lesser share of the possession.

Owen left England team-mate Terry for dead with just six minutes gone
to collect the imperious Nicky Butt's pass, but lifted his first-time
effort over Petr Cech's crossbar.

But with Martins making life intensely difficult for Paulo Ferreira
down the Chelsea right, the Magpies threatened repeatedly and might
have taken the lead with 29 minutes gone.

The Nigerian controlled a high ball superbly on his chest for Mark
Viduka to stab in a shot which Cech saved, but the rebound seemed to
fall invitingly to Owen.

The £17million man steered his shot firmly towards goal but Terry was
in exactly the right place at the right time to save his side.

Chelsea responded by pinning Newcastle back inside their own half, but
Harper was able to watch long-range efforts from Anelka and Mikel John
Obi sail wide of the target, and it was the Magpies who finished the
first half the stronger.

Viduka's failure to re-appear after the break - he is due to have an
injection for a persistent Achilles problem - prompted Alan Smith's
introduction, but it was the visitors who went close when Carvalho
headed Malouda's 50th-minute corner wide.

However, Terry went much closer three minutes later as Chelsea started
to turn the screw.

Malouda was the provider once again with another right-wing corner,
and this time his captain climbed highest to thunder a header against
the bar as Newcastle enjoyed a huge slice of good fortune.

But they finally fell behind on the hour when Ballack met Drogba's
free-kick unmarked in front of goal to glance home a close-range
header.

Lampard replaced Anelka with 24 minutes remaining as Grant adopted his
more accustomed 4-4-2 formation, but it was Newcastle who almost hit
back as the game entered its final 20 minutes.

First Martins saw Carvalho deflect his shot inches wide with Cech
stranded, and then Owen only just failed to connect with Butt's mishit
effort in front of goal.

Harper pulled off a smart reaction save to deny Ballack from distance
and the game was anything but over.

However, Malouda's neat finish from Lampard's 82nd-minute pass
cemented the win as Newcastle's resistance was finally broken.
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Sun:

By SHAUN CUSTIS

FROM a bollocking to a Ballacking.

Lacklustre Chelsea were read the riot attack by manager Avram Grant
and his coaching staff at the break.

Their second-half response, led by midfield ace Michael Ballack, was
emphatic as the German colossus ensured the Premier League title
battle goes right to the wire.

Never before have we got to the final day with two teams on equal
points as Chelsea and Manchester United are.

Due to their superior goal difference, a United win at Wigan — managed
by old-boy Steve Bruce — would mean they retain their crown.

But they cannot rest with the Blues on their heels, especially as
Grant's men will surely beat Bolton at home in their last game.

Kevin Keegan says this is the most boring league in the world because
of the top four's dominance but, make no mistake, it will be
nail-bitingly exciting next Sunday.

For his part, Ballack is finishing the season in storming form,
strutting around the pitch and bossing the game the way he has done
for years in a German shirt.

It has taken a while for the Chelsea fans to see the best of him but
they are getting it now.

Ironically, Ballack's Chelsea career hit rock bottom at St James' last
April when, after a number of poor performances, he suffered a chipped
bone in his ankle which kept him for eight months. Former boss Jose
Mourinho was furious when Ballack took matters into his own hands and
had surgery.

Even 10 days ago, when Ballack was arguing with Didier Drogba over a
free-kick against Manchester United, it seemed an apparently fragile
team spirit was cracking.

But Ballack's double gave Chelsea a 2-1 win against United and here
yesterday he and Drogba combined to fire their team to success.

On the hour, Drogba clipped over a free-kick and Ballack glanced a
header beyond Steve Harper. Eight minutes from time Chelsea wrapped it
up with a lovely passing move started by Michael Essien to Ballack and
on to sub Frank Lampard who slotted a beautifully weighted ball into
the path of Florent Malouda.

The Frenchman did not have to break stride and slipped the ball past
Harper to finish off Newcastle.

The first half had belonged to the Toon from the moment Michael Owen
lofted Nicky Butt's chip just over the bar. Skipper John Terry then
had to hack off the line from Owen after Mark Viduka's flick was
blocked by Petr Cech.

The visiting Blues fans were seriously worried but the home truths at
half-time had the desired effect on the title chasers and Terry's
thundering header against the bar was the prelude to Ballack's opener.

The lively yet on occasions frustrating Obafemi Martins had a
left-foot shot deflected just wide and Owen failed to connect with a
bouncing ball as he stretched out his right leg. But then Malouda
struck to make it safe.

Newcastle went on a lap of honour at the end to salute the fans who
have had a difficult time of it this season.

They were going to be returning in August with renewed optimism but
will have been depressed by what Keegan had to say in his after-match
interviews.

Newcastle fans are eternal optimists. The club might never win
anything but the dreamers believe all things are possible.

Keegan was seen as the Messiah who could take the club back to the
promised land battling for the Premier League title again — but he has
rather kiboshed that one.

The reality is going to hurt deeply.

PETR CECH: Czech stopper looked assured as ever. Brilliant close range
save denied Martins on 28 minutes and had little to do after that. 6

WAYNE BRIDGE: Rare run-out for the full-back with Ashley Cole rested.
Got forward well and was hardly tested defensivley with Newcastle
playing without any width. 6

RICARDO CARVALHO: Helped form a rock-like central partnership with
Terry. Was tested all afternoon by Martins and Owen but held firm in
style. 7

JOHN TERRY: Skipper led by example and was dominant throughout.
Relishes these type of games and smacked the bar early in the second
half with a superb header. Booked. 8

PAULO FERREIRA: Just stuck to the task in hand and hardly put a foot
wrong. Cool on the ball and always on hand to snuff out danger. 6

FLORENT MALOUDA: Patchy performance from the French winger who showed
some nice touches but failed to really impose himself until clinical
strike made the game safe. Booked. 7

JOHN MIKEL OBI: Kept the Blues ticking nicely in midfield by keeping
it simple. Strong in the tackle and protected the back-four superbly
well. 7

MICHAEL ESSIEN: Together with Ballack and Mikel helped Chelsea rule in
the middle of the park. Contributed all over the pitch. 7

MICHAEL BALLACK: German midfield machine popped up with yet another
vital goal to show how important he is for Avram Grant's men. Played
his part in second strike too. STARMAN. 8

NICOLAS ANELKA: French ace is not a right winger and showed it.
Floated into the middle after the break but it was no surprise when he
was replaced by Lampard. 6

DIDIER DROGBA: Hitman worked his socks off for the cause without any
real end product. Found Taylor a very hard nut to crack. 6

SUBS:

Lampard (for Anelka, 65) 7, Carvalho (for Alex, 79) 6, Drogba (for
Shevchenko, 85) 6. (yes I know !)