Chelsea ends Birmingham's run to top Premier League
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Chelsea reclaimed the top of English Premier League with a 3-0 victory over club-record 15- match unbeaten Birmingham thanks to arch-rivals Arsenal's goalless draw at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
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Chelsea's Frank Lampard, left, celebrates with his teammate Deco after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Chelsea won 3-0. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Frank Lampard scored twice as Chelsea moved a point ahead of Manchester United with a game in hand. Defending champion United was playing Manchester City in the semifinals of the League Cup on the night.
Arsenal was a further point adrift in third after failing to break down seventh-place Villa, which moved four points clear of cross-town rival Birmingham.
Florent Malouda was left unmarked in a prime central position to head in Joe Cole's cross from the right flank in sixth minute.
The pressure was unrelenting from Chelsea, with Ricardo Carvalho hitting the post and Frank Lampard denied from 20 meters by Joe Hart before the England midfielder strengthened the home side's lead.
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Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech (R) challenges Birmingham City's Roger Johnson during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London January 27, 2010. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Ballack squared to Lampard, who controlled the ball with his left foot before striking beyond Hart from 25 meters with his right.
Lampard added a third in the 90th, firing into the bottom right after being fed by Malouda.
Arsenal squandered a chance to stay neck-and-neck on points before halftime at Villa Park when captain Cesc Fabregas hit the post when Brad Friedel was beaten.
The bar also denied Arsenal in the second half when Andrei Arshavin's shot was parried by Friedel and Tomas Rosicky's shot came off the underside of the woodwork.
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Chelsea's Frank Lampard reacts after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League soccer match against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
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Chelsea's German midfielder Michael Ballack (R) vies with Birmingham's Scottish striker James McFadden (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge in London. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
