Chelsea Keep The Pressure On Manchester United

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Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea

After Manchester United's easy win over West Ham, Chelsea needed to beat Newcastle to stay in the race for the Premiership title. They achieved their objective, and if they can do the same in their final match against Bolton, and rely on Wigan to win or draw against United, the title is theirs! It's a big 'If' though because if they both win, lose, or draw, United will take the honours with their vastly superior goal average.

As far as this match was concerned, Michael Owen had two good chances in the first half, to shoot Newcastle ahead, but on this occasion he misfired. Ballack had a good opportunity at the other end, but he too failed to score. So at the interval a goalless draw seemed a fair result.

Whatever Avram Grant said to his men during the interval seemed to work the oracle. Chelsea emerged, and started to look the better side. Michael Ballack seemed sure to score, but he was denied by a last ditch challenge by Steven Taylor. Afterwards, John Terry was narrowly denied when a fierce header hit the crossbar.

It only seemed a matter of time before Chelsea would take the lead. Sure enough, just on the hour, Ballack rose up to force home a mighty header. To their credit Newcastle did not roll over, but retaliated strongly and first Martins and then Michael Owen, put Cech under some pressure.

Ballack almost got another for the blues, and then in a fine move the same player teamed up with Essien and Lampard to push the ball through to Malouda, who scored after 82 minutes. It was just the tonic they needed, to win the game and keep the pressure on their major adversary.

The fact that it's so close between Chelsea and Manchester United ensures an exciting finale to the season. Still to come is the spectacle of the same two teams in gladiatorial combat, in the European Championship in Moscow. It seems somewhat ironic that England have not qualified for the forthcoming European National Championship! However, many of the players from the Premier League, who also represent their home countries, will be involved. So even the English fans will have something to savour, in what promises to be a football feast.

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Newcastle Vs Chelsea
soccer and football
Newcastle Vs Chelsea