The race to the finish line in the Barclay's premiership took a dramatic twist as Chelsea overtook Manchester United atop the table following a controversial 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson was left irate by some appalling officiating throughout the course of the game by referee Mike " Penalty? " Dean and his assistants.
Substitute Didier Drogba's 80th minute goal was allowed to stand despite a clear offside that somehow was ignored by the linesman. Dean, who has come under scrutiny for his willingness to hand out penalties like confetti, also turned down legitimate penalty claims for both sides.
Drogba was a suprising casualty when the team line ups were announced as Carlo Ancelloti decided to persist with a three man attack led by Nicolas Anelka with Florent Malouda, Joe Cole wide.
His decision looked inspired as Chelsea started the brighter of the to sides and were rewarded as Malouda and Cole combined to out Chelsea ahead in the 18th minute.
Malouda cut inside Gary Neville and held off Fletcher before feeding Cole whose neat back heel directed the ball passed Edwin van Der Sar
Chelsea continued to dominate the first half as their slick passing made United's elder statesman Giggs, Scholes and Neville resemble pensioners running the bus. In the end the half time whistle was a welcome relief to the home side.
United came out much improved after half time and they began to impose themselves on the game. However they were unable to break down Chelsea's defence.
Ancellotti threw on Drogba and the ivory Coast striker had a quick impact as he fired a ferocious shot past van der Sar with united's players begging for an offside decision that never came.
United refused to give up and answered immediately as Nani's cross was blocked and inadvertandly found the back of the neck vis the chest and possibly arm of Macheda
Chelsea managed to hold out for the last ten minutes and put themsleves firmly in the driving seat for title with just five games left.
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