Drogba's late strike saves Chelsea

By Roger Brown

Premiership leaders Chelsea FC were held 1-1 at home by Birmingham City FC on Saturday, as Arsenal FC consolidated their grip on second place with a 1-0 win away to Middlesbrough FC. Manchester United FC were surprise losers away to Norwich City FC, who boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 victory at Carrow Road.

Title hopes
After a goalless first-half at Stamford Bridge, Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani shocked the runaway Premiership leaders by putting Birmingham in front on 65 minutes. A goal from substitute Didier Drogba eight minutes from time, however, rescued a point for Chelsea and preserved their unbeaten home run, which now stands at 34 matches in all competitions going back to last season.

Pires winner
Arsenal's Robert Pires scored the only goal of the game at the Riverside Stadium on 73 minutes as Arsenal won for the fourth Premiership match in succession. They are now three points clear of third-placed Manchester United in the race for an automatic UEFA Champions League qualifying place, after United lost to second-half goals from Dean Ashton and Leon McKenzie at Carrow Road. Norwich remain bottom on 23 points, but are now within four points of safety after Southampton FC crashed to a 3-0 defeat away to Blackburn Rovers FC.

Reds stay fourth
Liverpool FC's hopes of claiming fourth place and a possible return to the UEFA Champions League were dealt a severe blow by Kiki Musampa's last-minute winner for Manchester City FC, who won 1-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium. Liverpool remain fifth, a point behind Everton FC, who play Crystal Palace FC tomorrow, but having played one game more.

Bolton press
Bolton Wanderers FC moved to within a point of Liverpool after a 3-1 win against Fulham FC. The visitors had Claus Jensen sent off for a handball in the area on 12 minutes, giving Bolton a penalty which Jay-Jay Okocha converted.

Win for Perrin

Midlands derby