Manchester United, Chelsea keep pressure on Arsenal

A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty two minutes from the end gave Manchester United a 2-1 victory over Everton to put them just a point behind Arsenal, while Joe Cole's goal give Chelsea a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers, leaving them five points further back.

 At Old Trafford, South African Steven Pienaar's clumsy challenge on Ryan Giggs gave Ronaldo the opportunity to secure victory for the home side and he made no mistake, sending Tim Howard the wrong way.

 The Portugal forward had earlier given United the lead midway through the first half with a well-taken left-foot shot, but the lead lasted just seven minutes as Tim Cahill, who late in the second half had to be taken off with an injury, equalized with a header.

 Everton, whose last defeat was in October against Liverpool, remain in sixth place on 30 points, while champions United are second on 42, just one point behind table-toppers Arsenal.

 United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the performance of Ronaldo, who took his Premier League goals tally to 11 for the season.

 "The boy has got everything," he said. "We are expecting goals from him all the time and I don't think he ever made a mistake today. He was absolutely perfect, a marvellous performance by him.

 Ferguson admitted that he thought a point would be all his side would get.

 "You do worry because time was running out but my experience is to never give up on this team because they have scored so many important goals late on," said Ferguson.

 "Thankfully we got the penalty. The temperament and confidence Cristiano has shown since he was a kid surfaces at times like that."

   Everton manager David Moyes said one "moment of madness" had cost his side a share of the points.

 "It was one of those moments you look at and think 'that cannot have happened'.

 "There is no explanation. I have not asked Steven about it - I have told him. I cannot hide the fact it was a poor decision but if I say that, I also have to say how well he has done for us over the last two months."

   Chelsea consolidated third position with a hardfought 1-0 win at Blackburn, thanks to Cole's first-half strike.

 Rovers hit the bar and enjoyed plenty of possession but could not find the killer finish, while at the other end Frank Lampard forced two superb saves from Brad Friedel.

 Hilario, on as a second-half substitute for Petr Cech, who seemed to suffer a side injury, did make one excellent save to keep out a header from Roque Santa Cruz but in the end Chelsea held on without too much concern.

 Bottom side Derby County earned a much-needed point as they drew 2-2 at Newcastle United, though they were kicking themselves after twice letting slip a lead.

 Giles Barnes had put them ahead with a 20-yard effort on six minutes, but Mark Viduka levelled (26).

 Kenny Miller's superb finish from a Gary Teale flick-on looked to have won it for Paul Jewell's side but Viduka equalized for a second time with a half-volley four minutes from the end.

 Despite the point, Derby are still seven points adrift at the bottom of the table, while Newcastle remain 11th.

 Later on Sunday, Chelsea travel to Blackburn Rovers, hoping for a victory that would lift them to within two points of Manchester United.

By Ben James, dpa