Chelsea win to set up last-day title showdown

Goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda gave Chelsea a 2-0 win at Newcastle United yesterday that took them level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with one game each remaining.

Ballack, who scored both goals in a key 2-1 win over United on April 26 to open up the title race, glanced in a header after an hour and Malouda made it safe late on.

The result sets up a grandstand finish next Sunday - 10 days before Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Champions League final in Moscow.

United and Chelsea both have 84 points but United have a goal difference advantage of 17. They visit Wigan Athletic this week and will retain the title if they at least match Chelsea's result against Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

"We were a bit slow at times in the first half. We got a rollicking at half-time and we needed to pick it up to keep the pressure on Manchester United - and I thought we did a great professional job today," Terry told Sky Sports. Looking ahead to this week's games, he added: "Wigan are on a great run, they came to the Bridge and put on a great performance and I think they will do the Premiership justice.

"They are safe now, hopefully they are going to go for it. We've still got a tough game against Bolton but if we pick up three points we've got a very good chance."