Chelsea and Tottenham played out an incredible 4-4 draw that dented the Blues’ title aspirations. This clash was the first time the two teams had met since Tottenham’s Carling Cup triumph over Chelsea last month, and the hosts replayed videos of that victory. It was Chelsea who came out the blocks the better though, taking a third minute lead through Didier Drogba, before Jonathon Woodgate headed to level. Michael and Essein and Joe Cole both scored to the balance in Chelsea’s favour but Spurs responded again, Dimitar Berbatov reducing the arrears to 3-2.
Cole popped up with his second though to seemingly send the points back to Stamford Bridge, only for Robbie Keane to notch a superb last minute equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared. The result means Avram Grant’s men trail leaders Manchester United by five points, and second placed Arsenal by two. 
United maintained that cushion by beating Bolton 2-0 at Old Trafford, although the result was harsh on Gary Megson’s plucky side, who had two efforts ruled out. Captain-for-the-night Cristiano Ronaldo mopped a loose ball from a corner to give the hosts the lead, and added the decisive second goal with a dipping free-kick that left keeper Ali Al Habsi with no chance.
Desperate for points, Bolton pressed but were frustrated; first Tomasz Kuszczak foiled Kevin Davies and Nicky Hunt with good saves, and El Hadj Diouf had his free-kick ruled out for being taken before Alan Wiley’s whistle had been blown. Stelios Giannakopoulos had his goal chalked off for offside to end a frustrating night for the struggling Trotters.
On Tuesday night Hull City maintained their play-off charge for the Premier League with a 3-1 win over basement club Colchester United at Layer Road. Phil Ifil saw red for hacking down hotshot striker Frazier Campbell, who responded in perfect fashion by scoring two fine goals after being fed by Dean Windass and Henrik Pedersen.
Kevin Lisbie did respond for the beleaguered U’s, but Caleb Folan compounded their misery with a late goal. The result sends Hull fifth – five points off the top two, and five points away from seventh place. Wolves beat Scunthorpe 2-1 at Molineux to keep their flagging play-off hopes alive.
In other news, Barnsley have been eyeing up their goalkeeping replacement for Luke Steele, who returned to parent club West Brom on Tuesday after the two clubs couldn’t broker a deal for the Tykes FA Cup hero.
According to The Sun manager Simon Davey is targeting Manchester United stalwart Ben Foster and Aston Villa’s want away keeper Thomas Sorensen, who allegedly turned down such a move before Barnsley’s defeats of Liverpool and Chelsea in the FA Cup anyway. Elsewhere, The Daily Star reports Nottingham Forest want Coventry keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.
Images - bbc.co.uk/sport, skysports.com, manchestereveningnews.co.uk
