[alex18122003]

Ballack celebrates his opening goal.

Chelsea's Michael Ballack kept his cool to keep the Barclays Premier League title race alive with a late penalty winner against Manchester United.

Ballack struck from the spot six minutes from time at Stamford Bridge - his second goal of the afternoon - to secure a 2-1 win after a handball by Michael Carrick.

The win puts Chelsea level on points with the champions at the top but United, who had equalised through Wayne Rooney, retain a significant advantage on goal difference with just two games remaining.