NEWCASTLE v CHELSEA
0-2 (0-0)
Goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda handed Chelsea a deserved win against Newcastle and ensured the title race will go down to the final day.
Michael Owen had two first-half chances to give Newcastle the lead, while Ballack miscued when through on goal.
But Chelsea took control after the break, Ballack nodding in on 61 minutes and Malouda calmly adding a second.
The win moved Chelsea level on points with Manchester United, though their goal difference is vastly inferior.
said Kevin Keegan after the game;
"I like Avram Grant very much and think this Chelsea side is exceptional.
"In any other season they would have been worthy champions but I can't see Manchester United slipping up at Wigan - even on that pitch, which isn't very good.
"I think we gave Chelsea a hell of a game in the first half today but their class shone through.
"But they are both quality sides with great players, who will be worthy champions."
Chelsea boss Avram Grant has urged his players to round off "one of the club's best seasons" with a win over Bolton next week to keep the title race alive.
The Blues are level on points again with leaders Manchester United after a 2-0 win at Newcastle, and Grant said: "This season has been one of our best.
"We achieved our aim of getting to the Champions League final and we have also improved our play on the pitch.
"Now we must beat Bolton and see what United do. The pressure is on them."
United know a win over Wigan next week will almost certainly secure them a 10th Premier League title as their goal difference is far superior to Chelsea's.
But Grant hailed his players' efforts this season, saying: "We have to battle with things on and off the pitch, but the team have got better and better, especially in recent months.
Roy Keane is planning a major overhaul at Sunderland after losing patience with some of his players.
Keane has kept Sunderland in the Premier League following their promotion in 2007 but is not happy with his team's performances this season.
"We've lost 22 games this season and people keep telling me we've had a good season, but I'm lucky to still be in a job," he said.
He admitted he needed to "invest wisely and move some people on".
"That will be done this week - if not this week, then the following week," he said.
"It's irrelevant to me whether players are under contract. If they are, you just pay them up to go because you want certain characters.
Matt Derbyshire, Stephen Warnock and Martin Olsson have agreed new contracts with Blackburn, which will run until the summer of 2012.
England under-21 striker Derbyshire and former Liverpool defender Warnock have featured regularly this season.
Swedish left-back Olsson, however, made only his second Premier League appearance when he came on as a sub in Saturday's 3-1 win over Derby.
Rovers have enjoyed a successful season and currently lie seventh in the table.
"It is a massive thing to be offered a new contract and when you see how the club is progressing, then you want to be a part of that - and things are going well, so I can't really argue," said Warnock, who cost just more than £1m when he joined Rovers last year.
Kevin Keegan insists he can do nothing to turn Newcastle into a club that can challenge for the Premier League title.
Newcastle were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea on Monday and Keegan says they are some way from competing with the top teams.
"I thought. 'what can I do next year to get near them' and the truth is there's nothing I can do at all," he said.
"Maybe the owner thinks we can bridge that gap - but we can't. This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring but great leagues in the world."
However Keegan is positive he will get the funds he needs from owner Mike Ashley to improve his squad, saying: "I have no proof of that yet but I have no doubts he will (back me). "If I can get three or four players in to add to what I have got here - and we have that bit of luck you need with no injuries to key players - then we might be able to win the second division of the Premier League."
AC Milan have completed the signing of Mathieu Flamini from Arsenal on a four-year deal.
The French international, whose deal at the Emirates ran out this summer, has passed a medical and agreed terms to stay at the San Siro until 2012.
The departure will come as a blow to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had offered the 24-year-old a new deal.
Flamini had been a key player this season, making 39 starts in midfield and scoring three times.
While Flamini will battle with Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini for a place in the Rossoneri's midfield, Wenger is left searching for a suitable replacement. That search for midfield reinforcements could become even more pressing if Alexander Hleb follows Flamini to Italy, with Inter Milan being reportedly interested.
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