Blues push United all the way

Chelsea's 2-0 win over Newcastle means that the title will be decided on the last day of the season. Goals from Ballack and Malouda were enough to clinch a deserved victory.

Avram Grant took his side to St James' park knowing that they needed a win to push Manchester United all the way and that is exactly what they got.

The Magpies have found some form of late under Kevin Keegan and it was the home side that started the brightest. The Toon boss again elected to play Viduka, Martins and Owen together and it almost paid dividence in the opening 15 minutes as Owen and Martins both came close. The England front man really should have made it 1-0 after peeling off of John Terry, he put his shot over the bar after some fine work by the in form Nicky Butt in the build up.

Chelsea werent quite looking like the same side that had well beaten Manchester United and Liverpool of late and they were again in trouble around the half hour mark when Owen's effort was cleared off the line by his international team mate John Terry.

Newcastle continued to have the better chances of the first half and Chelsea could not even force a save out of Steve Harper in the Newcastle goal.

However, it was Grant's men who looked the more confident during the early exchanges of the second half with John Terry coming close as he saw his header cannon back off the bar.

The goal finally came for the London side as Drogba floated in a free kick which saw Michael Ballack on hand to nod home. Keegan would have been left fuming at his defense as they let Chelsea's main aerial threat slip away unmarked to break the deadlock.

Newcastle then kicked back into gear with Martins, Owen and Nicky Butt all going close for the home side before the ex-Lyon winger Flourent Malouda put the game beyond reasonable doubt with just 10 minutes remaining.

Chelsea substitute Frank Lampard put through a sublime ball for the French man who remained calm to put the ball past Harper and wrap up the tie.

Avram Grant will be pleased with his troops for overcoming what could have been a very tricky tie, knowing that they could be celebrating a title win in front of their own fans if Manchester United fail to take all three points away at Wigan Athletic.