CHELSEA beat Newcastle United 2-0 Monday to go level on points with leader Manchester United and send the Premier League title race down to the last day of the season.

    Michael Ballack, who scored both goals in a 2-1 win over United on April 26 that opened up the championship, glanced in a header after an hour and fellow midfielder Florent Malouda made it safe late on.

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

    United, 4-1 home winner over West Ham United on Saturday, and Chelsea both have 84 points but United has a goal difference advantage of 17. The side will visit Wigan Athletic and will retain the title if the team at least matches Chelsea’s result against Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

    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.

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

    Chelsea hadn’t won in the league at St. James’ Park since December 2001 or scored in its last two trips.

    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.

    Newcastle was looking to protect its seven-game unbeaten streak, carving out two chances in succession with 20 minutes remaining.

    (SD-Agencies)