Captain John Terry put Chelsea five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a second-half matchwinner at Stamford Bridge.

United were far more comfortable on the ball in the early stages 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.

Wayne Rooney should have punished the hosts 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 Frank Lampard's free-kick into the corner of the net but United were furious that Didier Drogba appeared to be in an offside position as the ball bounced beyond Edwin Van der Sar and into the net.