Eight-point advantage for Chelsea

By Greg Demetriou

Chelsea FC have extended their lead at the top of the English Premiership to eight points after a 2-0 victory at home against Portsmouth FC as Everton FC were beaten by the same score at Charlton Athletic FC.

Robben goal
José Mourinho's Chelsea had to wait to break the deadlock at Fratton Park after a dogged performance by the home team. However, Dutch winger Arjen Robben found the goal their persistence deserved in the 79th minute when he fired in a left-foot shot from the edge of the area before Joe Cole struck a superb second in the dying seconds.

Everton beaten
The win takes Chelsea on to 49 points, eight clear of Arsenal FC in second who play on Wednesday night against Newcastle United FC. Everton missed the chance to go second after defeat at Charlton. Talal El Karkouri and Herman Hreidarsson scored second-half goals, a header and close-range volley respectively, for the London club either side of a dismissal for Everton's Duncan Ferguson.

Late games
Everton's defeat allowed Manchester United FC to move third after they won 1-0 at Aston Villa FC in the day's final fixture, courtesy of Ryan Giggs's controlled finish. The other evening fixture saw new Southampton FC manager Harry Redknapp suffer defeat by the same scoreline at Liverpool FC. Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored the only goal with a low finish from close range.

Job hits two
Elsewhere, Middlesbrough FC consolidated fifth place with an excellent 2-0 win at home against Norwich City FC. Although Joseph-Desiré Job scored both goals early in the second half, the star of the show was Middlesbrough's young left winger Stewart Downing.

Dickov volley
Birmingham City FC recorded an excellent 3-2 win at Fulham FC, after goals from Emile Heskey, Darren Carter and Robbie Savage. Sylvain Legwinski and Tomasz Radzinski struck consolations for the home side. Another team to win on their travels were Blackburn Rovers FC, who won 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers FC thanks to Paul Dickov's brilliant volley from 15 metres.

Two draws
Tottenham Hotspur FC were held 1-1 at home by Crystal Palace FC, dashing their hopes of a sixth straight league win. England striker Jermain Defoe struck first but a late goal from Palace's Andrew Johnson ensured it finished honours even. It also finished 1-1 between Manchester City FC and bottom team West Bromwich Albion FC, with City taking the lead through Nicolas Anelka before a late Richard Dunne own goal. West Brom had played 73 minutes with ten men after Thomas Gaardsoe's sending off.