Soccer: Chelsea down 10-man Everton

LONDON - Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen kept Chelsea on course for their first title in 50 years with the winner in a scrappy 1-0 victory over 10-man Everton at Goodison Park yesterday.

Gudjohnsen poked in a rebound 20 minutes from time after William Gallas' effort hit the bar to end some brave resistance by Everton, who played all but eight minutes of the match a man short after striker James Beattie's foolish dismissal.

Everton's record 6 million ($16 million) signing was given a straight red card, the first of his career, for twice butting the back of French defender Gallas' head as he chased an early through ball.

Chelsea's win, achieved without injured attackers Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba, lifted their points tally to 68, 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester United with only 11 matches to play.

United (56 points) visited local rivals City in the Manchester derby overnight.

Third-placed champions Arsenal (54) host Crystal Palace early tomorrow.

Everton's defeat means they stay fourth on 48 points.

"People have been trying to put pressure on us all season," Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke told his club's website.

"But we've bounced back at a very, very difficult place to get three points. And that shows the spirit in the club."

Fifth-placed Liverpool stumbled again, losing 0-2 at Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers beat fellow strugglers Norwich City 3-0. Aston Villa won 2-1 at Portsmouth.

Everton had reasons for optimism before the match with a swirling wind and a terrible pitch seemingly playing into their hands. Beattie's departure, though, soon negated any home advantage.

Chelsea dominated but found the uneven surface and the sharp instincts of Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn hard to overcome for most of the game.

Martyn saved superbly from Frank Lampard and Iceland forward Gudjohnsen and Jose Mourinho's team, held 0-0 at home by Manchester City last Monday, were beginning to wonder where the goal would come from before Gudjohnsen ended their frustration.

Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has now gone 961 minutes without conceding and the only black mark was a yellow card for captain John Terry that means the centre back will be suspended for the FA Cup fifth round trip to Newcastle United on February 20.

Liverpool's inconsistency returned at St Andrews where a penalty by Uruguayan Walter Pandiani, after Birmingham's ex-Liverpool striker Emile Heskey was fouled, and Julian Gray's volley gave City their 2-0 win.

Scottish striker Paul Dickov netted twice as Blackburn put eight points between them and the bottom three with their 3-0 victory over struggling visitors Norwich.

At Fratton Park a trademark thunderbolt by Villa's German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger against Portsmouth gave the Midlands side a rare away win.

Bolton Wanderers drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough, who stay sixth.

- REUTERS