Chelsea cut to retain Premier League crown

 By Dan Childs 2:21PM 11 NOV 2010 MICHAEL ESSIEN showed what Chelsea were missing at Anfield on Sunday by netting the only goal of last night’s 1-0 victory at home to Fulham but he is facing another period on the sidelines after picking up a red card in the dying moments.

RELATED LINKS Free bet Bet In-Play now  Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti restored Essien and Didier Drogba to the side and it was the Ghanaian’s 30th-minute goal that seperated the sides in a tense encounter at Stamford Bridge.

The victory was a welcome boost to Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes – they have been cut from 4-7 to 1-2 to retain their crown – but it was marred when Essien received a straight red card after a late challenge on Clint Dempsey.

Chelsea have extended their advantage to four points over second-placed Manchester United, who were held to a 0-0 draw in a disappointing clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

United were the more progressive team for long periods, but after settling for a share of the spoils, their title odds were pushed out from 16-5 to 7-2 with Bet365.

Arsenal are just a point further back after a brace from Marouane Chamakh gave them a 2-0 success at Wolves.

The Gunners are 13-2 while the Citizens are 14-1.

West Ham missed the chance to move off the bottom after drawing 2-2 with West Brom at Upton Park and Wigan stay in the drop zone following their 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool.

The Hammers are evens for the drop with the Latics at 10-11 and Blackpool stillno bigger than 4-6.

Jermaine Beckford’s late goal rescued a 1-1 draw for Everton at home to Bolton and there were wins for Aston Villa – 3-2 at home to Blackpool – and Blackburn – 2-1 away to Newcastle.

Rangers retained a one-point lead at the top of ther SPL despite suffering a 3-0 loss at home to Hibernian.

Celtic also lost – 2-0 at Hearts – ensuring that both Old Firm clubs were defeated on the same day for the first time since May 20, 2007.

Victor Chandler can't split the Glasgow big guns at 10-11 but there is plenty of evens about the Bhoys.

Cardiff closed to within a point of QPR at the top of the Championship after drawing 1-1 at Reading.

The Bluebirds are a top-priced 5-2 with Stan James while the Rs are no bigger than 7-4 with Totesport.

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