UPDATE 2-Soccer-Man Utd and Chelsea win to keep up the chase

(Updates after later games)

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored an 88th-minute penalty to give Manchester United a 2-1 victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday that kept them within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Third-placed Chelsea also kept up the chase when a first-half Joe Cole goal gave them a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.

Arsenal, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Saturday, lead the way on 43 points with United second on 42 and Chelsea on 37.

Manchester City, who drew 1-1 at Aston Villa, have 34 while Liverpool, 4-1 home winners over Portsmouth, are fifth on 33. Everton remain sixth on 30, ahead of Portsmouth on goal difference.

Manchester United, seeking a ninth successive home league win, went ahead in the 22nd minute when Ronaldo cut in from the right and clipped in a left-footed shot.

Everton hit back when Tim Cahill showed great determination to power in an excellent header.

United looked lively and inventive but found Everton difficult to break down despite the wealth of attacking talent on show.