Ballack keeps title race alive

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The German, whose double against Manchester United last week took them level with their rivals at the top, broke a stubborn Newcastle with a crucial 60th-minute opener at St James' Park.

But it was not until Florent Malouda added a second eight minutes from time that the points were safe as the spirited Magpies did their best to preserve a seven-game unbeaten run.

However, Chelsea's class was ultimately made to tell on a day when Kevin Keegan was given the best illustration yet of how far his side has to go to compete an a level playing field with the big boys.

Avram Grant's men head into next weekend's clash with Bolton knowing victory might not be enough to lift the trophy if United win at Wigan, because of their inferior goal difference, but they have a chance.

Most of the first half's better chances fell to Newcastle, with the best of them when Obafemi Martins controlled a high ball superbly on his chest for Mark Viduka to stab in a shot which Petr Cech saved, and Michael Owen's effort from the rebound was cleared off the line by John Terry.

Terry almost put the visitors in front when he headed Malouda's corner against the crossbar, but the breakthrough came when Ballack met Drogba's free-kick and glanced home a close-range header.

Martins saw Carvalho deflect his shot inches wide with Cech stranded, and then Owen only just failed to connect with Nicky Butt's mishit effort in front of goal.

Harper pulled off a smart reaction save to deny Ballack from distance and the game was anything but over until Malouda's neat finish from Frank Lampard's 82nd-minute pass.