Robben strikes as Chelsea stride on

By Kevin Ashby

Chelsea FC continue to look impregnable at the top of the Premiership as they won again without conceding, 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers FC, to re-establish a double-figure lead at the English summit.

Robben winner
The Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger conceded that his side were out of the title running as they lost 4-2 at home to Manchester United FC last night, and Sir Alex Ferguson may feel the same way now as Chelsea made it eight Premiership wins in a row at Ewood Park to move eleven points clear. Arjen Robben (who later went off injured) scored the only goal in the fifth minute, although the Londoners needed a Petr Cech penalty save from Paul Dickov to ensure victory and set a Premiership record of 781 minutes without letting in a goal.

Everton success
Everton FC consolidated fourth place by beating Norwich City FC 1-0. Darren Huckerby missed a number of decent openings for the visitors, who saw hopes of a draw disappear in the 79th minute when Norwich defender Gary Doherty applied the finishing touch after Robert Green had brilliantly saved a Marcus Bent header. Everton are now seven points clear of city rivals Liverpool FC.

Scoring landmarks
The other three games were also high on drama, and landmarks. Uruguayan Walter Pandiani took just 12 minutes to open his account in English football following his deadline-day transfer from RC Deportivo La Coruña, while fellow striker Robbie Blake scored his first goal for Birmingham City FC from the spot in the 41st minute. Another player making his debut, Henri Camara, halved the deficit but Southampton FC failed to score another.

Shearer milestone
The leading scorer in the history of the Premiership, Alan Shearer struck his 250th top-flight goal as Newcastle United FC took a ninth-minute lead against Manchester City FC. However, after Shaun Wright-Phillips was brought down by Titus Bramble inside the penalty area, Robbie Fowler stroked in an equaliser for the home side.

Missed penalties
If Juan Pablo Ángel had been as efficient from the spot as Fowler then Aston Villa FC would have travelled north from the capital with maximum points rather than just one from their match at Fulham FC. The Colombian opened the scoring in the 55th minute but then saw two spot-kicks saved after Andy Cole also missed a penalty for Fulham. Cole's blushes were spared in added time, however, as Lee Clark volleyed in his first goal since October 2003.