Chelsea charge continues

By Roger Brown

Chelsea FC extended their lead at the the top of the Premiership to six points with a 4-0 win against Norwich City FC at Stamford Bridge, while second-placed Everton FC were held to a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers FC.

Chelsea in control
Damien Duff opened the scoring for Chelsea after ten minutes and Frank Lampard added a second eleven minutes before half-time. Arjen Robben made it three shortly before the break, and Didier Drogba sealed the win seven minutes from the end with the fourth goal.

Everton held
Everton lost ground at the top after failing to defeat Blackburn at Ewood Park, David Moyes's side withstanding a determined display from the home side to preserve their point. Fourth-placed Manchester United FC moved within three points of the Merseyside club with a 5-2 victory against Crystal Palace FC later on Saturday despite former Everton striker Wayne Rooney's early penalty miss.

United success
Paul Scholes put the home side in front in the 22nd minute and, although Danny Granville quickly levelled, Alan Smith restored United's lead ten minutes before half-time. Joonas Kolkka equalised for a second time a minute into the second period, but Emmerson Boyce's own goal and Scholes again gave the home team a 4-2 lead almost immediately and John O'Shea added a fifth in added time.

Middlesbrough momentum
UEFA Cup contenders Middlesbrough FC consolidated in fifth place after overcoming Aston Villa FC 3-0, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink opening the scoring midway through the first period before second-half strikes from Joseph-Desiré Job and Michael Reiziger sealed the points.

Tottenham triumph 
Tottenham Hotspur FC continued to climb the table with a
5-1 victory against struggling Southampton FC at White Hart Lane, English international striker Jermain Defoe scoring a hat trick to add to goals from Frédéric Kanoute and substitute Robbie Keane. Peter Crouch scored a consolation goal for Southampton, who remained second from bottom.

West Brom blues 
Birmingham City FC brushed aside local rivals West Bromwich Albion FC 4-0 at Saint Andrews with goals from Robbie Savage, Clinton Morrison, Emile Heskey and Darren Anderton. The visitors stayed bottom of the standings. Manchester City FC defeated Bolton Wanderers FC 1-0 at the Reebok Stadium, Joey Barton scoring for the visitors in the 52nd minute.

Sunday action 
In the rest of the weekend matches, third-placed Arsenal FC - now eight points adrift of Chelsea - visiting Portsmouth FC on Sunday, while Liverpool FC take on Newcastle United FC the same day. Charlton Athletic FC play Fulham FC at the Valley on Monday.