Terry heads home the crucial goal for Chelsea off a Lampard free kick [EPA]

John Terry headed hosts Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points over their northern rivals.

Chelsea had been frustrated by United's consistent defence for 76 minutes, but then profited from a contentiously awarded free kick when United midfielder Darren Fletcher was judged to have fouled defender Ashley Cole.

Frank Lampard whipped the ball into the penalty area and captain Terry connected with a glancing header to clinch Chelsea's 11th consecutive win in all competitions at their home stadium.

Chelsea's victory leaves them top of the table with 30 points, ahead of a two-week break for international matches.

Second-place Arsenal, who have a game in hand, and Man United both have 25 points, while Tottenham are fourth with 22.

"We played good football and we had some chances but we stayed compact in defence and managed to score,'' Chelsea striker Anelka said.

"It's very good, we wanted to win because we know United are a big rival for the league and it's always good to have five points on top of United.''

'Bad decision'

"It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes,'' said United manager Alex Ferguson referring to the contentious free kick.

"Clearly, Darren Fletcher's won the ball - he never touched Cole who has jumped up in the air - and then (Didier) Drogba's pulled (Wes) Brown to the ground for the goal.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he can't see anything.

"He's got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him and he doesn't even move.''

United pressed hard and packed their midfield to subdue a Chelsea side that had scored 19 goals in their five previous matches.

Wayne Rooney was deployed as a lone striker for United, who were missing Dimitar Berbatov through injury and had Michael Owen on the substitutes' bench as England coach Fabio Capello watched.

While hardworking, Rooney was isolated at times and starved of support, although after 10 minutes he turned Ricardo Carvalho but could only hit the side netting from a tight angle.

Teammate Michael Carrick tried his luck from distance in the first half, but Chelsea keeper Petr Cech easily collected and saw the next effort from the United midfielder fly high into the stands.

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had little do, but the Dutchman denied Branislav Ivanovic in the opening minutes and produced a one-handed diving save to push Nicolas Anelka's shot wide before the break.

Attacking force

United continued to torment after the restart, with Rooney firing wide and drawing a fine save from Cech with a curling shot from 20 yards.

Better news for Hull as midfielder Seyi Olofinjana celebrates his goal [AFP]

"We had great opportunities to get to the edge of the box and some really good chances in and around the box, but we should be finishing it off. We've only ourselves to blame in that respect.''

United defender Jonny Evans escaped punishment for kicking Drogba in the chest minutes before Chelsea's goal and it was the Ivory Coast striker who was booked by the referee.

United resisted making changes until after Terry's goal, but the late introduction of Owen and Gabriel Obertan failed to produce an equaliser.

Also on Sunday, Everton won 2-1 at West Ham, Hull defeated Stoke 2-1 and Fulham drew 1-1 with Wigan.

Hull's victory eased the pressure on manager Phil Brown. Matthew Etherington had put Stoke in front, but Seyi Olofinjana levelled after the break and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink struck in the final minute after Stoke's Abdoulaye Faye was sent off.

Fulham earned a point at Wigan after Clint Dempsey was brought down by Titus Bramble and then scored from the resulting penalty kick.

Louis Saha and Dan Gosling scored Everton's goals to leave West Ham in the relegation zone.