The Hindu : Sport / Football : EPL goes down to the wire as Chelsea beats Newcastle

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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EPL goes down to the wire as Chelsea beats Newcastle

NEWCASTLE: Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda scored a goal each on Monday to lead Chelsea over Newcastle 2-0 and send the Premier League title race down to the final day of the season.

Ballack put Chelsea ahead with a glancing header in the 61st minute. Malouda had been clipped by Abdoulaye Faye to the right of the penalty area and Didier Drogba hooked in the free kick to the unmarked Ballack.

Substitute Frank Lampard slid a pass past Steven Taylor in the 82nd and Malouda poked home his fourth goal of the season in all competitions.

The Blues survived a scare in the 28th with captain John Terry’s goal-line clearance denying Michael Owen.

Nail-biting finale

The destination of the title will be determined on Sunday in the final round of matches. Manchester United and Chelsea are even with 84 points each but defending champion United leads on goal difference. United plays at Wigan while Chelsea hosts Bolton.

Avram Grant made five changes from the team that beat Liverpool on Wednesday to reach the Champions League final on May 21, with Lampard benched after converting a penalty at Stamford Bridge.

Still, the Blues started lethargically as Newcastle created space to make an early impression. Before 10 minutes had elapsed, Geremi sent a shot over the net, Owen volleyed high and Obafemi Martins beat three defenders but shot meekly.

In the 28th, Martins burst forward and the ball fell to Mark Viduka, whose shot was parried by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Owen regained possession and the England striker sent his shot low and watched as Terry cleared the ball off the line.

The result: Newcastle 0 lost to Chelsea 2 (Michael Ballack 61, Florent Malouda 82). — Agencies

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