Penalty Decision Leaves United Level on Points

Two goals from Michael Ballack, the second from the penalty spot, hauled Chelsea level on points with United at the top of the table, although the champions still have the edge due to their superior goal difference.

A blunder from defender Ricardo Carvalho looked to have gifted United a vital point when Wayne Rooney took full advantage of his stray pass to equalise in the 55th minute.

But the referee`s assistant gave a penalty to the home side when Carrick was deemed to have handled the ball in the dying minutes of the match.

The last two games of the season against West Ham and Wigan, are now vital to United`s hopes of clinching the title,