Champions check Chelsea charge

By Luke McLaughlin

Chelsea FC's progress towards the Premiership title was temporarily held up by a goalless draw with champions Arsenal FC in a lively encounter at Stamford Bridge, while Everton FC strengthened their grip on fourth place with a 1-0 win at home against the side immediately above them, Manchester United FC.

Pires opportunities
Arsenal put the home defence under considerable early pressure, French international Robert Pires striking the crossbar with a powerful effort and then dragging a shot wide following a corner. Chelsea then began to show some of the form which has brought them 25 league victories this season and started to threaten Jens Lehmann's goal.

Cole chance
Didier Drogba did well to beat Philippe Senderos on the right wing before squaring a pass for Joe Cole, but the ball was overhit and Cole could only dive despairingly as it travelled out of his reach. There were fewer chances in the second half and Chelsea were forced to settle for a result that preserved their eleven-point lead at the top and left them needing a maximum of five points to clinch their first league championship in 50 years.

Everton victory
Everton's UEFA Champions League qualification hopes received a massive boost as they overcame nine-man Manchester United at Goodison Park. Duncan Ferguson headed the only goal early in the second half, while United had both Gary Neville and Paul Scholes sent off.

Liverpool lift
Rafael Benítez's Liverpool FC kept up the pressure on their Merseyside rivals with a 2-1 win away to Portsmouth FC courtesy of goals from Luis García and Fernando Morientes, a result that moved the visitors above Bolton Wanderers FC and into fifth place.

West Brom boost
Elsewhere a resurgent West Bromwich Albion FC moved above Southampton FC and out of the relegation zone following a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur FC, a Zoltán Gera effort putting the visitors in front before Robbie Keane's 52nd-minute strike earned Tottenham a point. Norwich remain bottom but continued their recent revival, with Dean Ashton's last-minute winner condemning Newcastle United FC to a 2-1 defeat at Carrow Road.

Palace fall
Crystal Palace FC stayed 19th after losing 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers FC, while Manchester City FC's caretaker manager Stuart Pearce achieved another good result with a 3-0 win at home to Birmingham City FC. Finally, the game between Aston Villa FC and Charlton Athletic FC finished goalless.