LONDON, England (AFP) — Chelsea defeated title rivals Manchester United 2-1 yesterday to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Arsenal stayed in the hunt with a last-gasp win over Wolves.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side took the lead at Old Trafford through Joe Cole’s flick in the 20th minute and Didier Drogba came off the bench to increase Chelsea’s advantage from what looked an offside position in the 79th.

Federico Macheda got one back for United two minutes later, but the Blues held on for a victory which puts them in pole position to win the title with both teams having just five games left to play.

Ancelotti said: “We wanted to be top after this match. It was hard but we played really well. Now we’re the favourites. That’s normal when we’re back at the top of the league, but nothing is decided.”

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Five games left, they’re two points ahead and four goals better than us — they’re in the driving seat.

“Chelsea are favourites, there’s no question. I’m certain we’ll respond, but we could win the next five games and not win the title.”

Chelsea took the lead in the 20th minute when Cole cleverly back-flicked Florent Malouda’s cross past Edwin van der Sar from close-range.

Drogba came off the bench to increase Chelsea’s lead in controversial circumstances when the Ivory Coast striker slammed home Salomon Kalou’s pass even though replays showed he was offside.

United, without injured star Wayne Rooney, got one back two minutes later as Macheda deflected the ball past Petr Cech despite Chelsea appeals for handball.

Arsenal closed the gap on the leaders to three points as Nicklas Bendtner’s late goal clinched a 1-0 win over 10-man Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

After a dour first half, Wolves captain Karl Henry was shown a straight red card in the 65th minute for a lunge on Tomas Rosicky.

That proved the turning point as Bendtner headed the winner in stoppage time from Bacary Sagna’s cross.

Manchester City stormed into fourth place with a 6-1 demolition of second bottom Burnley at a rain-lashed Turf Moor.

Roberto Mancini’s side scored three times in the first seven minutes through Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez.

Then Patrick Vieira scored his first goal for City, Adebayor added his second before the break and Vincent Kompany struck in the 58th minute.

Darren Bent missed two penalties, but still made his point to Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp as the Sunderland striker’s double clinched a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light that dented his old club’s push to finish fourth.

Aston Villa bounced back from their 7-1 defeat at Chelsea with a 1-0 win at Bolton thanks to Ashley Young’s curling effort in the 11th minute.

Stoke pushed Hull deeper into trouble with a 2-0 win at the Britannia Stadium, Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence scoring the goals.