Drogba strike keeps Blues in hunt

The Ivory Coast international pounced to convert a low cross from Jose Bosingwa to hand interim coach Guus Hiddink his fourth straight win.

It leaves them four points behind leaders Manchester United, who have two games in hand.

But Chelsea were made to battle all the way by Pompey, who remain just two points off the relegation places in the Premier League.

The home side had Chelsea rocking from the off when a free-kick from Glen Johnson provided Hermann Hreidarsson with a clear chance but his effort from eight yards was deflected wide.

In the 16th minute, Chelsea should have taken the lead but Drogba was inches away from putting the finishing touches to a drilled cross from Ashley Cole.

Moments later a clever ball by Frank Lampard put Drogba through but the striker's shot was charged down by the onrushing David James.

Chelsea were then unable to take advantage of an error by James. The goalkeeper allowed a cross from Florent Malouda to slip out of his grasp in the wet conditions but Pompey's Sean Davies cleared for a corner.

The Blues had goalkeeper Petr Cech to thank for keeping the scoreline level in the 28th minute when he dived to his right to keep out a powerful low drive from Davis. And in the 59th minute the Blues stopper came to his side`s rescue again as a header from Peter Crouch put David Nugent clear but the striker's shot was pushed away by the Czech.

The Blues remained in control and in the 66th minute a cross from Ricardo Quaresma was headed just over by Drogba, who settled the contest when he drilled home with 11 minutes remaining.