London, Jan 29 (DPA) Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 to move up to second place in the English Premier League after Liverpool’s title hopes took another blow with a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic.
Two second-half goals Wednesday from Salomon Kalou sealed the points for Chelsea, putting them above Liverpool on goal difference, two points behind leaders Manchester United.
Arsenal lost more ground after they were held 1-1 at Everton, while Manchester City and West Ham United both earned victories.
Chelsea were frustrated for the best part of an hour at Stamford Bridge as Middlesbrough matched them but Kalou broke the deadlock in the 58th minute.
The forward then made sure of the points nine minutes from time when he headed Frank Lampard’s corner into the net.
Chelsea and Liverpool play each other at Anfield this Sunday and after Wednesday’s results, Rafael Benitez’s men will need to win that match to get their title challenge back on track.
Yossi Benayoun put Liverpool in front with a superb finish four minutes before half-time, but the visitors could not find a second goal.
A foul by Lucas Leiva on Jason Koumas gave Wigan a penalty seven minutes from the end and Mido, on his debut, converted from the spot.
Wigan almost won it in injury time when new signing Hugo Rodallega smashed a free-kick onto the crossbar, but the two sides had to settle for a point.
Robben van Persie scored a last-gasp equaliser as Arsenal salvaged a point with a 1-1 draw at Everton, for whom Tim Cahill had scored the opening goal.
Craig Bellamy scored on his debut for Manchester City as they beat Newcastle United 2-1 to move up to ninth, while Carlton Cole was on the scoresheet again as West Ham beat Hull City 2-0.
Blackburn Rovers drew 2-2 with Bolton Wanderers in the night’s other game, thanks to a late equaliser from Benni McCarthy.
rounak