HOWZAT

Incensed by the poverty of his team’s performance, Ferguson resorted to the hairdryer during the interval, and the desired improvement was immediately forthcoming. United were much more competitive, but their equaliser took the form of a gift, from the unlikeliest source. Carvalho, easily Chelsea’s best defender all season, was taken by surprise by Paulo Ferreira’s quick free kick and hastily tried to knock the ball back to Petr Cech. He had not spotted the lurking Rooney, who intercepted with ease and ran on, holding off Terry, before taking careful aim from 18 yards and shooting in via Cech’s right-hand post.

The first goal the England striker has scored against Chelsea took the steam out of them temporarily, but after drawing breath they hit back hard. Ballack might have regained the lead had his 25-yard free kick not hit poor Carvalho, standing in United’s defensive wall.

With time running out and the title fast disappearing over the horizon, Grant flung on first Nicolas Anelka, then the afterthought that is Andriy Shevchenko, but his team’s spirit seemed to be fractured beyond repair when Ballack and Drogba squabbled at embarrassing length over who should take a free kick.

United must have thought they were home and hosed when Brown, under pressure from Drogba, got away with handling the ball well inside the penalty area. Chelsea, however, were far from finished and with six minutes of normal time remaining, Michael Essien’s cross from the right was handled by Michael Carrick. This time, Alan Wiley did point to the spot.

It was the sort of pressure penalty that has found England’s players wanting so often, but fortunately Chelsea had a German on hand to take it. Ballack kept his nerve while those around him were afraid to look and sent Van der Sar the wrong way in shooting unerringly into the keeper’s right-hand corner.

Given five minutes of added time in which to repair the damage, United would have done so but for two goalline clearances, by Ashley Cole and Shevchenko, denying Ronaldo and Fletcher respectively.

The tension, as much as the arrival of summer, had the players at boiling point and Ferdinand and Jon Obi Mikel scuffled near the end. There were more unsightly scenes after the whistle, as the United players warmed down on the pitch, but today all that matters is that these two teams are level at the top, only goal difference separating them with two enthralling weeks to go.

Ballack’s show of strength

Chelsea prevailed because of the might of Michael Ballack. The midfielder’s opening goal was just reward for Chelsea’s dominance. Didier Drogba beat Wes Brown with a turn and, fatally, two of United’s midfield three, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher, were drawn towards the ball. Drogba then crossed to the far post where Ballack arrived in space to head home

The run-in

MAN UTD

Sat May 3 West Ham (h)
The good news: nothing at stake for West Ham who could play the kids
The bad news: United have lost their last three games to the Hammers

Sun May 11 Wigan (a)
The good news: Wigan boss Steve Bruce remembers he owes a lot to Fergie and puts out a second-string team
The bad news: Wigan are still not safe and could have all to play for

CHELSEA

Monday May 5 Newcastle (a)
The good news: Keegan might decide to thwart his nemesis Fergie by fi elding a weakened side
The bad news: Michael Owen has found his form

Sun May 11 Bolton (h)
The good news: Chelsea have not lost a game at home in four years
The bad news: Wanderers are not yet out of the mire and the fi ght goes on