PREMIER LEAGUE REVIEW: Liverpool's title aspirations suffered a major setback as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough - just their second league defeat. The Reds had had hoped to eat into Manchester United's seven-point lead - with United contesting the Carling Cup final against Tottenham tomorrow - but instead suffered a defeat that drops them to third after Chelsea won 2-1 against Wigan.
A Xabi Alonso own goal after 32 minutes set the scene for a forgettable afternoon on Teesside for Rafa Benitez’s men before their fate was sealed when Tuncay Sanli turned in Jeremie Aliadiere’s low centre on the hour.
Liverpool have made a habit of fighting back from seemingly irretrievable positions to claim points this season, but another rally proved beyond them despite the best efforts of skipper Steven Gerrard who was replaced by Lucas with 13 minutes remaining.
Chelsea climbed to second ahead of Liverpool on goal difference after Frank Lampard’s headed winner in injury time made it three wins in as many games for new caretaker boss Guus Hiddink.
Chelsea had gone ahead in the 25th minute when the the Latics defence could only clear a Lampard cross as far as John Terry who saw his powerful shot go in with the aid of a deflection off a defender.
Wigan could have been ahead before Terry struck, with Petr Cech saving from Paul Scharner when one-on-one while Ashley Cole and Terry both made goal-line clearances.
Wigan looked like they would snatch a point when Olivier Kapo turned in a Charles N’Zogbia cross in the 82nd minute, only for Lampard to pop up at the end with a header that looped over Chris Kirkland.
Arsenal’s frustrations in front of goal continued at home to Fulham as a couple of Mark Schwarzer saves ensured they played out a fourth straight goalless draw in the league.
The Gunners have now not scored in six hours of league action, although it took a fine reflex save from Schwarzer to keep Robin van Persie’s close-range header out with just eight minutes on the clock.
Fulham were indebted to their Australian goalkeeper just after the half-hour mark when he again denied Van Persie with a save low to his right.
New signing Andrei Arshavin could have grabbed a winner late on but he could only find the side-netting from an acute angle.
The result means that the Gunners are now just a point ahead of sixth-placed Everton after goals from Tim Cahill and substitute Louis Saha helped them to a 2-0 win at home to West Brom.
The Baggies, who remain bottom after today’s defeat, had shown plenty of attacking purpose before they went behind to a header from Cahill in the 36th minute.
Leighton Baines fizzed in a free-kick from the left flank and the away defence failed to mark Cahill, allowing him to score his eighth goal of the campaign unattended on the edge of the six-yard box.
Saha made his return to action as a 60th-minute substitute following a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since November.
And the French striker took just 10 minutes to remind everyone of his class with a wonderful turn and shot that left Scott Carson with no chance.
Today’s Premier League Results:
Arsenal 0 Fulham 0
Chelsea 2 Wigan 1
Everton 2 West Brom 0
Middlesbrough 2 Liverpool 0
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