Chelsea's two-goal hero Michael Ballack insists Manchester United are feeling the pressure as they prepare for a dramatic end to the Barclays Premier League campaign.

Ballack's two goals, the second from the penalty spot, helped Avram Grant's side to overcome leaders Manchester United and draw level with them on points at the top of the table.

The last few weeks have seen United's five-point lead eroded and Ballack is well qualified to understand how much pressure Sir Alex Ferguson's men are now under.

Ballack was a member of the table-topping Bayer Leverkusen side eight years ago that eventually lost the title on the final day to Bayern Munich.

The pressure is clearly beginning to affect United with Rio Ferdinand having to apologise after kicking out at a woman steward in the Stamford Bridge tunnel after the game and a number of his team-mates caught-up in an unsavoury scuffle with groundstaff during their post-match warm-down.

"In 2000 I was in a similar situation at Leverkusen, but we were the ones leading and Bayern Munich caught us," said Ballack. "In the last game we were three points in front, but lost the game and the title.

"It can happen up to the last minute. The pressure is on them because last week they looked like they were the champions. They had a five-point lead and now we have closed the gap.

"It was our best performance, especially in the first half. We passed the ball and didn't just use long balls. We moved the ball very well in this game and showed we can play good football.

"Manchester United still have everything in their hands but the pressure is on them. It looked like they were champions, but now it's getting smaller and tighter. Nobody expected Chelsea to be in this position now or in the Champions League."

The other irony of Chelsea's victory over United is that Ballack would not have taken the penalty had grieving Frank Lampard been playing.

Lampard was on compassionate leave after the death of mother Pat last Thursday and the players had already celebrated Ballack's headed opener with an emotional shirt tribute to her.

But if Chelsea ever needed someone to step into Lampard's boots for such crucial penalties then it is best to have a German in your ranks.

"I'm used to handling these situations," said Ballack. "I took a lot of important penalties in my career and this was a big situation. It was no problem for me and I liked it. We have to be good at something at least!

"Normally Frank is there to take the penalty. He is usually first having been here a long time and he is used to it. But I scored a few last year and we have a lot of good penalty takers.

"It also depends how you feel at the time, how the game has been going for you and if you feel confident. I have missed a few in my career back in the Bundesliga, but they were not important games."

Now Chelsea face Liverpool on Wednesday in the return leg of their Champions League semi-final having drawn the opening game 1-1 and Ballack believes the Blues are better and fresher than any of the teams fighting for glory at home and abroad.

He added: "We are possibly just four games away from two big prizes and we have put ourselves in this situation. This is where we want to be. We like this situation. I think we look fresh and better than all other teams, even in the Champions League now."

Coach Grant revealed everyone was determined not to let United break their unbeaten home record or win the title in their backyard.

Chelsea have now gone 81 league games unbeaten at the Bridge and Grant believes United could still drop points in their final two games against West Ham and Wigan.

He added: "I knew they wanted a draw or to break our record here, but we didn't want to let them do it.

"The pressure is on them because Chelsea have come from nowhere. We were behind Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and others.

"When United went top they were thinking they had won the championship, but now they are under pressure and I hope it will help us.

"The first year I was in England I remember I was a child then and Leeds needed one point against Wolves to win the championship and they lost. I believe in the tradition of the English way.

"I believe United could do the same and drop points against West Ham and Wigan. They have dropped points against West Ham in recent seasons and it is not easy to win at Wigan."

Meanwhile the Football Association will request CCTV footage from Chelsea regarding the post-match scuffle between some of United's players and Stamford Bridge ground staff.

United's stars, among them Patrice Evra, were asked to run in the same direction as the lawnmowers being used to trim the playing surface.

The row erupted when United's players chose to run across the pitch instead of up and down it.