Avram conjurs a miracle and can't hide his feelings as Chelsea keep title hopes alive

Two goals from German star Michael Ballack, the second from the penalty spot after Michael Carrick handled the ball, saw Grant out of his seat with arms aloft to herald a 2-1 victory over leaders Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

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Now the two clubs are level on points at the top of the table, and any further slip-ups by United in their remaining two matches, at home to West Ham and away to Wigan, could yet result in what would be a miraculous title triumph for Chelsea, depriving United manager Sir Alex Ferguson of a remarkable 10th championship in the 16 years of the Premier League.

Not even a confrontation on the pitch involving United players and Stamford Bridge groundstaff after the final whistle could dampen Chelsea spirits.

Captain John Terry said: 'All season we have had to put up with people saying Chelsea can't play as well as United and Arsenal but we showed today that we can match anybody.'

Grant, asked whether he was confident that, with United having the benefit of a vastly superior goal difference, the championship could yet be won by Chelsea, insisted: 'Yes, I am always confident.

'We needed to win today and we deserved to win by more than 2-1. Now we need to win two games and hope that United lose a point.'

It was an emotional victory for Chelsea, whose players held up a shirt after Ballack's opening goal to commemorate midfielder Frank Lampard's mother, Pat, who died on Thursday from pneumonia.

Now Grant's men will approach their final games, away to Newcastle and at home to Bolton, with everything to play for.

Ferguson was, predictably, angry with the decision by referee Alan Wiley to award Chelsea a penalty after Carrick handled Michael Essien's cross.

The infringement was signalled by assistant referee Shaun Procter-Green, who suffered the United manager's wrath on the touchline.

But Ballack, whose headed opener was equalised by Wayne Rooney — his first goal against Chelsea in 16 appearances — was coolness personified as he maintained his country's reputation in the art of penalty-taking, sending Edwin Van der Sar the wrong way five minutes from the end of normal time.

'Absolutely diabolical,' was Ferguson's verdict on the penalty award. 'It's a major decision. Granted it hit his hand, but he has not lifted his hand above his head or anything like that and it's going straight to Rio Ferdinand. The referee should have seen that rather than the linesman.'

Ferguson was also unhappy with the failure to award United a penalty after Ballack appeared to push Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ferguson said: 'If we are not going to get these decisions then we are under pressure. If it comes down to decisions like that, we are in trouble.'

After the match, United left-back Patrice Evra had to be restrained after an altercation with Chelsea groundstaff working on the pitch.

Evra was warming down with other members of the United squad, including Paul Scholes, Gerard Pique, Gary Neville, Jisung Park and John O'Shea when a groundsman is thought to have made a remark to which the Frenchman took exception.

The players were apparently asked to move to another part of the pitch. Chelsea said in a statement: 'We are studying the relevant CCTV and camera footage and will be considering the appropriate course of action.'

United defender Rio Ferdinand was also involved in an incident with a female steward in the tunnel as he left the pitch.

Ferdinand admitted: 'I kicked a wall in frustration, as I have in the past. Unfortunately a lady was standing nearby and I accidentally brushed her with my foot. I went back to make sure she was OK and I apologised profusely. She laughed it off and said she wasn't hurt and I have arranged for a bouquet of flowers to be sent to her.'