Chelsea stretch lead to four points

Chelsea FC stretched their lead over Manchester United FC at the top of the Premier League to four points with four games remaining following a 1-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers FC.

England
While Chelsea were busy booking their place in the FA Cup final on Saturday, United slipped to a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers FC and Carlo Ancelotti's side took full advantage, despite being pushed hard by Bolton. The decisive goal came two minutes from half-time when Didier Drogba picked out Nicolas Anelka with a fine cross that the Frenchman headed past Jussi Jääskeläinen. Frank Lampard later hit the post but Anelka's effort proved enough for maximum points.

Italy
FC Internazionale Milano, Chelsea's conquerors in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, surrendered their long-time leadership of Serie A to AS Roma at the weekend after drawing 2-2 with ACF Fiorentina. But they were quick to exact revenge against the Viola by securing a 1-0 win in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals to progress 2-0 on aggregate. Samuel Eto'o controlled Thiago Motta's chipped pass and finished emphatically 12 minutes after half-time to secure the Nerazzurri's place in the final, where they will play either Roma – a point ahead in the league with five fixtures left – or Udinese Calcio.

France
AS Monaco FC are through to the French Cup final after beating RC Lens 1-0 at the Stade Louis II, Moussa Maazou heading the only goal of the game with ten minutes remaining in extra-time. They will now meet either amateur side US Quevilly or Paris Saint-Germain FC, who contest the second semi-final on Wednesday, in the final at the Stade de France on 1 May.

Spain
In the Liga, Sevilla FC suffered a setback in their quest for a top-four finish as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Real Valladolid CF that leaves them level on points with RCD Mallorca having played a game more. Diego Costa (42) and Manucho (54) put Valladolid two up before Juan Cala halved the arrears seven minutes from time. Elsewhere, CD Tenerife won 2-0 at Real Sporting de Gijón to go within two points of safety and Getafe CF beat Villarreal CF 3-0 to replace the Yellow Submarine in seventh.

Portugal
SL Benfica beat Lisbon rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-0 to go six points ahead of SC Braga at the top of the Portuguese Liga. Benfica are unbeaten in the league since a 2-0 defeat by Braga in October but were forced to bide their time against Sporting, Óscar Cardozo breaking the visitors' resistance midway through the second half before Pablo Aimar added a second.

Netherlands
FC Twente missed the chance to go seven points clear of AFC Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie after falling to a 1-0 defeat at titleholders AZ Alkmaar, who climb to fourth. Peter Wisgerhof's eighth-minute own goal proved the difference and means Ajax could close the gap to a single point should they win at Willem II on Wednesday.