Chelsea beat Newcastle United 2-0 on Monday to keep their Premier League title hopes going until the last day of the season.

It wasn't plain sailing for Avram Grant's team as Newcastle went closest to scoring twice in a tense first half, but Michael Ballack's deadlock-breaking header on 61 minutes settled the London side's nerves.

Florent Malouda added a second goal with just eight minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt and take Chelsea level with Manchester United on 84 points at the top of the table.

United's far superior goal difference means Chelsea will be hoping Steve Bruce's Wigan can get a result against Sir Alex Ferguson's side on the last day of the season next Sunday.

And Blues skipper John Terry dismissed the conspiracy theorists who suggest Bruce will give former boss Ferguson an easy ride.

"I think they will do the Premier League justice," he said.

"Wigan are safe now but with a great manager like Steve Bruce they are going to go for it.

"If we pick up three points at home to Bolton, we have a very good chance."

On the result at St James' Park, which kept the title race alive, Terry admitted they were poor in a goalless first half.

"It was a bit slow at times and we got a bit of a rollicking at half-time," he said.

"All we can do is our job and I thought we did a professional job."

Chelsea manager Avram Grant accepted Ferguson's side still held the upper hand in the title race but was pleased to see his team continue their good progress.

"I think this is one of the best seasons. We have shown a lot of character," he said.

"The advantage is to United but it will not be easy in the last game. They need to win.

"I think we have given United a good battle and we want to continue until the last minute."

More news from SportingLife.com