UPDATE 1-Soccer-Chelsea boost title hopes with win over Man Utd

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By Mike Collett

LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to draw level at the top of the Premier League and keep alive their hopes of snatching the title from the grasp of the leaders.

Germany captain Michael Ballack scored twice in a match Chelsea had to win to maintain their championship ambitions, with a pinpoint header on the stroke of halftime and a penalty four minutes from the end after Michael Carrick handled.

Wayne Rooney replied for United when his 56th-minute shot went in off the post after he was sent clean through by a careless pass from Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Both teams have 81 points and United remain top because of a vastly superior goal difference.

As long as United match the points Chelsea take from their last two games they will be champions but the pressure is now on Alex Ferguson's men.

Chelsea's west London neighbours Fulham staged a remarkable recovery to win 3-2 at Manchester City after trailing 2-0, keeping alive their chances of avoiding relegation.

Stephen Ireland and Benjani Mwaruwari put City in command before Fulham, who had not won away for 16 months before their victory at Reading two weeks ago, fought back with three goals in the last 20 minutes.