Essien strike reduces United's lead

Michael Essien's second goal in three days secured Chelsea FC a 1-0 win at Everton FC and closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United FC to two points.

Unanswered
While Essien's effort on Monday was cancelled out in added time by Emile Heskey to earn Wigan Athletic FC an unlikely point, Everton were unable to respond to the Ghana midfielder's 41st-minute strike. Avram Grant's team, who face Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday, have now played a game more than United, who can restore their five-point lead when they travel to Blackburn Rovers FC at the weekend.

Essien on target
Chelsea put their hosts under pressure for long periods of the first half at Goodison Park without forcing Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard into a save and looked like going into the interval on level terms. However, that changed four minutes before the break when Essien's one-two with Shaun Wright-Phillips deflected off a defender and into the former's path, who applied a deft finish to beat Howard.

Vital fixture
Everton upped the tempo after the restart but were unable to break through the Chelsea rearguard, Manuel Fernandes' curling free-kick the closest the Merseysiders came. Chelsea now have three matches remaining to try and overhaul United, one of which is against the champions at Stamford Bridge on 26 April. David Moyes' team, meanwhile, remain fifth but Portsmouth FC can move to within a point if the FA Cup finalists overcome Manchester City FC on Sunday.