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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SOCCER REPORT
Monday, March 21, 8:18 PM
*Robben returns as Chelsea rolls towards title*
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LONDON (Ticker) - The Chelsea machine got one of its vital cogs
back as the London club moved closer to its first English
Premier League title in 50 years.
Arjen Robben entered Chelsea's 4-1 victory over relegation
threatened Crystal Palace in the 74th minute in his first game
since breaking his foot seven weeks ago. The Dutchman is one
the best playmakers in the league and will be a valuable asset
to the Blues in their stretch run in the Premier League and the
UEFA Champions League.
By the time Robben entered Saturday's contest at Stamford
Bridge, Chelsea already owned a 2-1 advantage on scores from
English international Frank Lampard in the 29th and, from the
player who benefited the most from Robben's injury, Joe Cole in
the 54th.
Robben nearly scored late in the game but it was another
substitute, Mateja Kezman, that found the back of the net in the
78th and in injury time as Chelsea maintained its 11-point lead
over Manchester United.
With only eight games remaining, Chelsea needs just 14 points -
out of a possible 24 - in those games to claim the league title.
On the other end of the spectrum, 18th-place Palace is one point
behind Southampton, which rolled to a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough
on Sunday, for the last relegation-safe spot in the standings.
In the battle for second place, both Manchester United and
Arsenal came away with, 1-0, victories Saturday; United topped
Fulham at Old Trafford and Arsenal won at Blackburn Rovers.
The Red Devils own a two-point edge over the defending champion
Gunners. Whichever team finishes in second place will claim at
automatic berth into next season's Champions League while the
other must play in the qualifying round.
Liverpool kept its chances for a shot the Champions League
viable with a 3-1 home win over Everton, shrinking Everton's
lead over the Reds to four points for fourth place.
In other action this weekend; Birmingham stopped Aston Villa,
2-0; West Bromwich Albion won at Charlton Athletic, 4-1;
Portsmouth and Newcastle United tied, 1-1; Tottenham Hotspur
edged Manchester City, 2-1; and Bolton topped Norwich, 1-0.
st 03-21-05 20:13 et
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