Blues still in with a shout

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The Blues cut Manchester United's lead at the top to just two points with this win, with a clash between the pair at Stamford Bridge on April 26.

Michael Essien's 41st-minute strike was enough to smother Everton's hopes, and the Toffees have now virtually lost all hope of catching Liverpool in fourth spot. They are now five points adrift of their neighbours, with an inferior goal difference.

Chelsea now know United must get something at Blackburn on Saturday or they will be waiting to pounce.

Everton found it hard to cope in the opening spell as Shaun Wright-Phillips had chances, with one charged down and the other curled over.

Everton had their first real chance when Manuel Fernandes saw a free-kick palmed away by Petr Cech.

Wright-Phillips wasted a glorious chance when Salomon Kalou threaded a superb ball into the box for the winger but five minutes from the break, Chelsea made the breakthrough.

Neat passing involving Kalou, Essien and Wright-Phillips ended with the ball deflecting off Phil Jagielka straight into the path of the Ghanaian - who lifted the ball into the top corner with clinical ease.

The pattern changed little after the break, with Everton trying their best but meeting stern resistence from John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.

Everton at last made an impression and Fernandes produced a stunning, dipping free-kick which missed the far post by a coat of paint, but the visitors held on to keep their title hopes alive.