Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home an 88th-minute penalty to give Manchester United a precious 2-1 victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Portuguese star had already seen one brilliant effort equalised by Tim Cahill's header and it seemed United would have to settle for a draw as Everton held their own.

But when Steven Pienaar brought Ryan Giggs down, Ronaldo nervelessly converted his 16th goal of the season to move the Red Devils back to within a point of leaders Arsenal.

Joe Cole kept Chelsea in touch of the leading duo as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win at Blackburn, who crashed to a fourth successive defeat.

Cole struck a 22nd-minute winner with a searing 16-yard first-time drive that gave goalkeeper Brad Friedel no chance for Chelsea's seventh league win on their last nine visits to Ewood Park

In returning to winning ways following last weekend's defeat to the Gunners, Avram Grant's side are now back within six points of Arsenal and five of United.

Meanwhile at St James' Park Mark Viduka spared Newcastle's blushes with a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with rock-bottom Derby.

The Australia international struck with just three minutes remaining as the Magpies finally made the pressure tell.

Derby twice led through Giles Barnes' sixth-minute opener and, after Viduka had levelled after 27 minutes, Kenny Miller's 52nd-minute strike, but ultimately had to make do with a point.

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