CHELSEA stormed back to the top of the Premier League table with an historic victory over reigning Champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In their first away win against Sir Alex Ferguson's team since the Blues were champions in 2005, Chelsea showed the sort of domination that is likely to see the odds on them regaining that trophy this season shorten dramatically.

From the start, Chelsea used their wings wisely, particularly Forent Maluda on the right – who troubled the United defence throughout the opening stages.

It was via this channel that the goal arrived in the 20th minute: Malouda darting a deceivingly angled ball back across Edwin Van Der Sar's goalmouth to Joe Cole – who back-heeled into the net.

It was a cheeky goal that characterised the way in which Chelsea had taken the game to United, and the visiting fans loved it.
The Blues could have had a penalty on the half hour when, swarming forward in numbers, Nicolas Anelka was felled in the box by Gary Neville. But referee Mike Dean saw a different version – something he may take another view on once he has seen the post-match replays.

United looked more at home in the second half and, with a notably reinvigorated Ryan Giggs, they threw wave after wave of attack at Chelsea. The Blues defence frequently looked shaky – Petr Cech flapping on more than one occasion.

But it was superb last gasp defending that maintained the visitors' lead.

Ancelotti needed to do something to regain supremacy, and decided to bring on Saloman Kalou and Didier Drogba . Moments later the gamble paid off, as the former Ivorian laid off to the latter to make it 2-0. Though replays showed that Drogba was a good yard offside.

The two goal cushion didn't last long – a Chelsea goalmouth melee letting on Federico Macheda to head home. Replays again called into question the fairness of the goal, however, as Macheda appeared to use his hands to control immediately before the lethal nod.

In the end it was a deserved win for Chelsea, who now go two points ahead of United at the top of the league – with just five games left to play.