Chelsea close in on championship

By Roger Brown

Chelsea FC moved to within one win of their first English league title for 50 years after a 3-1 win against Fulham FC, while Everton FC climbed nearer to a place in next season's UEFA Champions League despite being held at home.

Leaders ahead
At Stamford Bridge Joe Cole put the leaders ahead before Collins John equalised in the 41st minute. Chelsea manager José Mourinho introduced Jirí Jarošik and Arjen Robben at half-time, the latter returning after a month out with an ankle injury. Frank Lampard put Chelsea back in the lead after 64 minutes, turning in Robben's cross, before Tiago's fine through-ball created the chance for Eidur Gudjohnsen to seal the points with three minutes left. Should Arsenal FC fail to defeat Tottenham Hotspur FC on Monday night then Chelsea will be champions.

Everton edge closer
Everton in fourth picked up another point in their challenge for a Champions League place after drawing 1-1 with Birmingham City FC. Emile Heskey put the visitors ahead five minutes into the game before Duncan Ferguson's strike four minutes from time rescued a point for Everton. Third-placed Manchester United FC play Newcastle United FC tomorrow.

Liverpool loss
Champions League semi-finalists Liverpool FC's hopes of returning to the competition next season suffered a dent, the fifth-placed side falling to a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace FC following a first-half Andrew Johnson strike, a result that took the home team out of the relegation zone. Another team in contention for a Champions League berth, Bolton Wanderers FC, drew 1-1 at Aston Villa FC. A Fernando Hierro own goal in the 26th minute gave Villa the lead before Gary Speed levelled nine minutes into the second half.

Middlesbrough victory
Middlesbrough FC helped their chances of securing a UEFA Cup place with a 4-0 win against struggling West Bromwich Albion FC, Szilárd Nemeth scoring twice. Blackburn Rovers FC drew 0-0 with Manchester City FC and Norwich City FC moved off the bottom of the table as a Mathias Svensson goal against Charlton Athletic FC with just two minutes left earned a 1-0 win. Portsmouth FC take on Southampton FC, who slipped to the bottom after today's results, in the south-coast derby tomorrow.

Sunderland promoted
Meanwhile Sunderland AFC, who were relegated from the Premiership in 2002/03, won back their place in the top flight with a 2-1 win against Leicester City FC.