Didier Drogba's double enabled Chelsea to move four points clear at
the top of the Barclays Premier League as they overcame Wolves 2-0
at Molineux.
Carlo Ancelotti's side took full advantage of nearest title
rivals Manchester United's 3-1 defeat at Everton earlier in the day
to move a step closer to the championship crown.
Chelsea had to wait, though, until the 40th minute before
breaking the deadlock against relegation-threatened Wolves at
Molineux, with 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.
Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell came off the bench to give the
Toffees a stunning victory over the defending champions.
Gosling replaced Diniyar Bilyaletdinov - who had earlier
cancelled out a Dimitar Berbatov strike - and fired the
Merseysiders ahead with 15 minutes remaining at Goodison Park.
Rodwell then entered the fray three minutes from time and
capped a fine comeback with a superb breakaway goal.
Arsenal continue to hang on in the title race after a 2-0 win
at the Emirates Stadium over Sunderland, who remain without a
victory since the end of November.
Nicklas Bendtner's first goal for almost four months gave
Arsenal 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
the Gunners remain six points behind Chelsea and two adrift of
United with a game in hand on the latter.
In the relegation battle at Upton Park, West Ham are four
points clear of the drop zone following a 3-0 victory over 10-man
Hull.
The Hammers dominated throughout, taking the lead after just
130 seconds when Valon Behrami scored his first goal for the club
for just under 13 months.
After the interval Hull then had a player sent off for the
second successive away match when Craig Fagan was dismissed in the
53rd minute for a second bookable offence.
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.
In Saturday's evening kick-off Stoke substitute Salif Diao
snatched a last-gasp 2-1 triumph for the 10-man Potters as
Portsmouth were plunged deeper into the relegation mire.
Frederic Piquionne gave the home side the advantage after 35
minutes, but Robert Huth's header levelled matters five minutes
after the break.
Andy Wilkinson was sent off for the visitors after 73
minutes, but Diao netted at the death to maintain his side's
unbeaten record in all competitions this year.
