Chelsea chase continues

A 28th-minute penalty from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was all third-placed Chelsea FC needed to inflict defeat on London rivals Charlton Athletic FC in the Premiership on Sunday.

Fish foul
Saturday successes for leading duo Arsenal FC, who remain unbeaten in the league this season, and Manchester United FC put the pressure on Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea to follow suit with a victory. Charlton made that task difficult until Mark Fish brought down Hasselbaink in the Charlton penalty area and the Netherlands international got up to convert the spot-kick himself.

Mutu denied
Jonatan Johansson headed over for the visitors but Chelsea went closest to scoring in the second half when Adrian Mutu hit the post with a left-footed drive six minutes from time. The victory put Chelsea back within six points of leaders Arsenal while Charlton, who were overtaken in the standings by Newcastle United FC on Saturday, remain in fifth position.

Taylor supreme
In the day's other Premiership game, visitors Birmingham City FC held Manchester City FC to a goalless draw at the City of Manchester stadium. Goalkeeper Maik Taylor was the hero for Steve Bruce's Birmingham, pulling off fine saves to deny City duo Antoine Sibierski and Robbie Fowler. The point lifted the away side into the top half of the table but extended City's run without a league victory to 13 matches. Kevin Keegan's out-of-form team travel to Anfield on Wednesday to play Liverpool FC.