Chelsea improved their chances of claiming a place in next season's Champions League thanks to a 1-0 win over 10-man Stoke City on Saturday. Didier Drogba scored the only goal - his 100th Premier League goal - on 68 minutes to put Chelsea level on points with Arsenal in fourth.
Ricardo Fuller was sent off midway through the first half for stamping on Branko Ivanovic but it took Chelsea until 22 minutes from time to grab their goal. Juan Mata was the creator, threading the ball through to Drogba, who took the ball around the Stoke goalkeeper and scored into the empty net.
Liverpool lost more ground in seventh place after they were beaten 1-0 at Sunderland, Nicklas Bendtner scoring a second-half winner. Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers both moved out of the relegation zone with crucial victories. Ivan Klasnic scored the winner four minutes from time as Bolton saw off QPR 2-1 while two Junior Hoilett goals gave Blackburn a 2-0 win at fellow strugglers Wolves.
The results drop QPR into the bottom three alongside Wolves and bottom side Wigan Athletic. Darren Pratley headed Bolton in front after 37 minutes but Djibril Cisse equalised on the stroke of half-time before Klasnic won it for the home side.
The match was tinged with controversy after QPR were denied a clear goal in the first half through Clint Hill's header, but the referee ruled it had not crossed the line. "There's no doubt we got a big break today, but we scored good goals," Bolton manager Owen Coyle said. "With 15 minutes to go, we threw on another striker and scored a terrific goal. It's a valuable three points, there's no doubt about it."
Andreas Weimann scored with almost the last kick of the match to give Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Fulham. Later on Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur can cement their place in third if they win at Everton. Leaders Manchester City and second-placed Manchester United are both in action on Sunday. Arsenal play on Monday.
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