Blues take advantage of United slip

Published Feb. 20, 2010 9:40 a.m. ET

foxsports

Chelsea were handed the chance to extend their lead after Manchester United were beaten 3-1 at Everton in the day's early kick-off, and Carlo Ancelotti's side took full advantage. They had to wait until the 40th minute before breaking the deadlock at Molineux, though, with Didier Drogba capping a brilliant move involving Yuri Zhirkov and Michael Ballack. Drogba then wrapped up the victory in the 67th minute with his 25th goal of the season, and his sixth in five matches since he returned from African Nations Cup duty. Arsenal continue to hang on in the title race after a 2-0 home win over Sunderland, who remain without a victory since the end of November. Nicklas Bendtner's first goal for almost four months gave the Gunners the half-time lead, although Kenwyne Jones missed a glorious one-on-one chance shortly before the break to send the sides in level. Cesc Fabregas added a second late on from the spot to ensure Arsenal remain six points behind Chelsea but only two adrift of United. In the relegation battle at Upton Park, West Ham moved four points clear of the drop zone with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Hull. The Hammers dominated throughout and took the lead after just 130 seconds when Valon Behrami scored his first goal for the club for just under 13 months. Hull then had a player sent off for the second successive away match when Craig Fagan was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 53rd minute. Six minutes later Gianfranco Zola's side took full advantage, with Carlton Cole strengthening his claims for a place in England's World Cup squad with his ninth goal of the season before Julian Faubert wrapped up the scoring in the third minute of injury time.