England round-up: Chelsea go third

Chelsea FC's 4-1 win against Everton FC moved them into third place in the Premiership while effectively removing the Merseysiders from UEFA Champions League contention.

Gudjohnsen opener
Claudio Ranieri's side took a 25th-minute lead as Eidur Gudjohnsen took full advantage of a slip by Everton captain David Weir to beat Richard Wright with a crisp shot. Within three minutes of the restart, it was 2-0 as Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink looped a header across the face of goal which Wright could not reach.

Late finish
Jesper Gronkjær made it 3-0 to Chelsea after chasing a long ball through the Everton defence and although the visitors rallied, scoring a 77th-minute goal through Lee Carsley, a stylish late finish from substitute Gianfranco Zola sealed Chelsea's victory.

Liverpool ride luck
Everton's local rivals Liverpool FC did their own hopes of a Champions League place the power of good after coming from behind to earn a 2-1 win at home against Charlton Athletic FC. Shaun Bartlett's goal two minutes after the restart looked set to earn the visitors the points until Sami Hyypiä and Steven Gerrard scored in the final five minutes.

Newcastle held
Newcastle United FC slipped to fourth, just one point above Liverpool, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Aston Villa FC. Nolberto Solano gave the home side a 37th-minute lead only for veteran striker Dion Dublin to put Villa on level terms in the second half.

Slender hopes
Elsewhere, West Ham United FC kept their slim hopes of Premiership survival alive with a 1-0 win at home against Middlesbrough FC, while fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers FC drew 0-0 at Blackburn Rovers FC. Birmingham City FC all but secured their safety with a 3-2 home win against Southampton FC.

No comfort
There was little comfort for relegated Sunderland AFC as they were mauled 3-0 at Manchester City FC, while the other side already condemned, West Bromwich Albion FC, twice let the lead slip as they lost 3-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur FC.