Captain John Terry put Chelsea five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League, with a second-half winner in the 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Terry glanced home a 76th-minute free-kick from Frank Lampard - although United claimed Didier Drogba was in an offside position.

United had their chances, Wayne Rooney twice going close, but the Blues made it a club record of 11 straight home wins.

It was the hosts who created the first goal attempt when Branislav Ivanovic burst down the right flank and let fly with a left-foot shot which Edwin van der Sar did well to hold at the near post.

United, though, were far more comfortable on the ball with the home side given little time to build from the back. But, despite their dominance, they failed to create a clear-cut chance in the opening half with Chelsea lacking the cutting edge required in the final third.

Rooney should have punished Chelsea in the 66th minute when he took a return pass from Antonio Valencia on the edge of the penalty area. But the England striker sent his shot a foot wide of the far post.

Seconds later Rooney brought a fine save from Petr Cech with a 20-yard curler which was destined for the top corner until the Czech international intervened.

But Chelsea grabbed the crucial breakthrough in the 76th minute when Ashley Cole was fouled by Darren Fletcher on the left flank.

Captain Terry rose to glance Lampard's free-kick into the corner of the net but United were furious that Drogba appeared to be in an offside position as the ball bounced beyond Van der Sar and into the net.

Tempers flared in the closing stages but Chelsea held on for victory.