Three points don't really come much more important than this. A Michael Ballack double, the first a header just before the interval, the second a penalty has kept the title race well and truly alive.
In a pulsating game that did the Premier League proud, the Blues kept our nerve when seriously tested, a well-deserved lead having been lost by a bad mistake before the win was salvaged with time running out.
Man United improved after what for them had been an impotent first half, but over the course of the whole game, and although some may try, it's hard to argue a win today was not deserved, especially with one shot against the woodwork and another good shout for a penalty turned down.
Changes to the Chelsea starting line-up were limited to midfield and the left side of the front three.
Michael Essien, free from European suspension, filled the gap left by the enforced absence of Frank Lampard and John Mikel Obi was asked to hold midfield with Claude Makelele on the bench. Salomon Kalou replaced Florent Malouda.
Alex Ferguson left Ronaldo and Tevez on the bench and brought in Giggs and Nani on the wings. Vidic was over his illness and there were changes in midfield with Hargreaves left out; Anderson and Fletcher selected to accompany Carrick.
Chelsea were almost handed a dream start by a dozing Wes Brown who within the first minute misdirected a header back. After a scramble, it fell to Essien whose shot dipped over the bar. The same player then forced the first save of the game from Van der Sar after good work by Kalou.
Man United were under early pressure and their game plan was shaken when they lost Vidic. Putting his head in low, the Serb's face collided with Drogba's knee. Seemingly dazed and with a blooded mouth, he was carried off in the 12th minute and eventually replaced by Hargreaves in the 14th. The sub went to play at right back with Brown moving into the centre.
In that period with only 10 men, Man United survived a penalty appeal when Kalou fell under challenge in the area.
On 20 minutes, Chelsea hit the woodwork. Joe Cole, the beneficiary of good Kalou vision, advanced through the centre and although initially tackled, the ball broke back his way and his instinctive stab at goal cannoned back off the top of the post.
Soon Essien was pulling a ball dangerously across the six-yard area and Mikel almost wriggled a way through as Chelsea continued to look good.
On 25 minutes, Joe Cole came even closer to breaking down the defence after Drogba had wrestled possession and Ashley Cole passed forward to his namesake. Slaloming between Brown and Hargreaves, Joe was just beaten to the ball by Van Der Sar who suffered a painful blow on the shoulder for his efforts.
Ashley Cole found Terry from a free-kick midway inside the opposition half on 30 minutes but the skipper couldn't keep his header down.
As the game approached half-time, Man United finally began to enjoy some spells of possession but without coming close to worrying Cech. They may have thought they were gaining a foothold but the league leaders were soon asked to think again.
Just as the announcement of stoppage time to be played was coming over the tannoy, Chelsea finally scored the goal the first half display had warranted.
A huge amount of credit goes to Drogba, who was strong and skillful under challenge before turning and chipping a cross over. The defence worried about Kalou but not about Ballack who nipped in at the far post to head convincingly past Van der Sar.
Celebrations centred on a special Chelsea home shirt printed in tribute to the late Pat Lampard. Ballack was booked for his own shirt-off revelry.
The outlook going down the tunnel was as bright as the April weather. The visitors had not had a single worthwhile attempt, while we held the lead.
Man United attempted to step up a gear from the restart whistle but six minutes into the second period, Brown became their second booking for bodychecking an Essien run.
There were nine minutes of the second period gone when Chelsea handed on a plate a way back into the game for the visitors. Playing back towards our own goal, Carvalho lost concentration and misplaced his pass to Terry. Rooney snapped up the chance, raced through and scored off the left-hand post. I
t was the first goal they had scored at the Bride since August 2002 and a horrible moment for a defender who had been outstanding up until then. There was still plenty of time on the clock for the team to make amends.
Giggs shot from 20 yards, turned behind by Cech just before Ronaldo was brought on for Rooney 63 minutes in. O'Shea come on for Anderson a minute later before Avram Grant made his first change - Anelka on for Ferreira with Essien moving to right-back and the shape switching to 4-4-2.
On 72 minutes, Chelsea were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out on the left. Caught cleanly by Drogba, the ball looked to flying into the top right-hand corner until Van der Sar brought off a great save.
Four minutes later Mikel was booked for fouling Ronaldo whose free-kick was deflected into the arms of Cech.
With ten minutes to go Grant made a second roll of substitute dice - Shevchenko introduced for Kalou.
Within seconds Chelsea were shouting for a penalty and for very good reason. Challenging Drogba for a high-ball, Brown handled in similar style to Wayne Bridge in the Carling Cup Final, this time not spotted.
A feeling that the moment may have passed for Chelsea engulfed Stamford Bridge, a feeling that was banished within seconds. Again the shouts went up for handball, this time there could be no doubt as Carrick stopped Essien's cross with his arm.
There was no Lampard for the penalty but there were no worries either. Man United tried their best to put Ballack off, Van der Sar seeing a yellow card for his pains, but they were wasting their time as the German national captain stroked home for his most important Chelsea goal yet.
If anyone thought the game would end without further drama, they were very much mistaken. Before the end Chelsea cleared twice off our own line, the first time Ashley Cole from Ronaldo, the second occasion Shevchenko from Fletcher.
Drogba was shown a yellow card for dissent before the end, as was Ferdinand for booting the ball away followed by a very public display of under-stress temper. Hargreaves was also carded before the final whistle which came after five tense, but successfully-negotiated stoppage time minutes.
Chelsea remain undefeated at home against Man United in the Abramovich era.
Level on points with two to play. Who will blink first?
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira (Anelka 65), Terry (c), Carvalho, A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Ballack; J Cole (Makelele 86), Drogba, Kalou (Shevchenko 80).
Scorer Ballack 45+86.
Booked Ballack 45+1, Mikel 76, Drogba 89.
Scorer Rooney 56
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