Liverpool took the lead through Maxi in the 33rd minute after the visitors started off brightly. Chelsea tried their best but luck did not seem to favour them as Drogba came close to netting a free-kick. However, after Daniel Sturridge came on as a subsitute post half-time, he helped Chelsea equalise.

Old Team-mates battle it out

Both sides attacked and counter-attacked as well as had some defensive goof ups which led to the goals being scored. A draw seemed to the best result but Johnson had other ideas. He brilliantly controlled Adam’s cross and slotted the ball into the corner of Chelsea’s net.

The Blues were comfortably beaten by Arsenal, 1-3. Arsenal’s Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott scored the goals for the Gunners. Carlo Ancelotti’s team have managed just six points from the last 24!

Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas celebrate a goal.

Branislav Ivanovic pulled one back for the visitors but to no avail.

“We have matured, I have said that many times. Let’s hope it strengthens our belief for the championship and our belief that we are on the right track,”

said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

“Today we were disciplined, mature and we played for each other. There’s still some room for improvement and I’m confident the team will continue to train hard and focus well together.” Arsenal have moved to 35 points from 18 games with unbeaten leaders Manchester United on 37 having played a game less. Chelsea, who started the season in scintillating form but have forgotten how to win, remain in fourth place on 31.”

“The table is not good but this is the reality,” Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told Sky Sports. “We have to play better and wake up. I am not worried. I have to work and you will have to ask the owner (Roman Abramovich about my future).”

The defeat leaves Chelsea 10 points worse off than at this stage last season and their title chances looking slim.

Lee Bowyer’s opening-half goal – his first for nearly 12 months – earned Alex McLeish’s side a shock victory.

But their hero was Foster who bounced back from his error on England duty in midweek with a series of stunning saves.

Chelsea dominated proceedings for the entire 90 minutes but they could not find a way past the former Manchester United player.

It was a vastly improved performance by Chelsea compared to their 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland last weekend.

But they tasted defeat in back to back league matches for the first time since the end of the 2005-2006 campaign and they now only lead Manchester United on goal difference.

In addition to Foster, City centre-backs Scott Dann and Roger Johnson were outstanding.

Chelsea were quickly into their stride and Salomon Kalou missed an early chance to put them ahead.

Didier Drogba’s flick found Kalou with only Foster to beat but his shot went through the legs of the keeper and just past the post.

Foster made a fine save to keep Birmingham on level terms after Drogba was sent clear by Kalou.

It was the kind of chance Drogba would normally convert but Foster raced off his line to reduce the angle and saved low to his left.

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Barclays Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur fought back from 2-0 down to record a remarkable first victory at Emirates Stadium.

Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh had put the Gunners in complete control as they looked set to leapfrog Chelsea, who play Birmingham City later in the day.

However, Spurs – who had just one Premier League away victory over their old rivals, in May 1993 – regrouped for the second half following the introduction of fit-again England striker Jermain Defoe.

Gareth Bale pulled a goal back on 50 minutes, before a handball from captain Cesc Fabregas from a free-kick gave away a penalty, which Rafael van der Vaart converted.

Arsenal were then condemned to successive home league defeats for the first time in 13 years when Younes Kaboul headed in a dramatic late winner.

Samir Nasri and former team-mate William Gallas clashed within the opening few moments when Nasri raced clear, only to be halted by a fine saving tackle from the former Gunners defender.

It was a positive start for Arsenal, with Fabregas getting into the right side of the Spurs penalty area, but opted to shoot across goal rather than pull the ball back for Nasri.

Fabregas’ chip split the Tottenham defence, but Nasri’s touch into the penalty area was just too heavy, which should have allowed Gomes to come off his line to collect.

However, the Spurs keeper hesitated and failed to gather the ball on the penalty spot, which then bobbled wide.

The return of Wayne Rooney made it a perfect day for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side took full advantage of their title rivals’ misfortunes.

United brushed aside Wigan Athletic, who self-destructed in the second half with two unnecessary red cards, but perhaps more importantly Rooney made his first appearance since the contract saga that saw the England striker threaten to leave before signing a new five-year deal.

The setbacks suffered by Arsenal and Chelsea made it imperative that United did not slip up too and they made no mistake as headers by Patrice Evra and Javier Hernandez ensured Ferguson’s men second spot in the Barclays Premier League table, behind Chelsea only on goal difference.

Rooney should have put the icing on the cake by scoring too but passed up a glorious opportunity.

For Wigan, red cards for Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega virtually ensured they would get nothing from the match.

Source: Premier League

Cole is eager to play in center of midfield with Gerrard. Cole arrived on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Cole said:

“I hope I did play a part in making him stay. Every year the big clubs have come calling for him because he’s a fantastic player but we have got to look to the future now at this club. This year, Liverpool is about consolidating, then moving on. There are players here who would get into any team in the world. Stevie is one of them and he knows what I can do – we have played together for England for ten years.”

He also added:

“I am looking forward to playing with him for Liverpool and the relationship is going to be important. I will play anywhere, though I hope it is central with him, with one of us going forward and the other pivoting. I can’t talk about our tactics but the manager knows what I can do on the left and the right. But it will be nice to be close to Stevie. I had conversations with him and Jamie Carragher at the World Cup – more afterwards because I was concentrating on the tournament. Everything about Liverpool impressed me. I just want to be part of something. We are part of a club which can do something special. If you win a trophy here – one of the big ones – it would be immense.”

Cole signed for Liverpool looking over offers from Arsenal and Tottenham.

Chelsea Celebrate their success in the Barclay's Premier League 2009/10

Chelsea’s Drogba tops the Premier League scoring charts with 29 goals.

Chelsea also scored 103 goals this season, reaching the milestone after Tottenham Hotspur since 1963.

The Blues can add to their achievements this season by winning the FA Cup final against Portsmouth, next week.

Carlo Ancelotti has accomplished what was expected of him, in his first season. Nonetheless he will be disappointed not being able reach the Champions League finals.

Liverpool face Chelsea this Sunday and are

in a dilemma since a win over the 2006 Champions would favour their archrivals- United, to seal the Premier League title this season, the bright side being Liverpool can get closer to finishing fourth.

Liverpool faced a sad exit from the Europa League Semi-Final against Atletico Madrid, with a last gasp goal from Diego Forlan.

The club has also been put up for sale by the American owners, which could prove beneficial for the next season.

Salomon Kalou scored a hat-trick, Frank Lampard got two and Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge scored one each.

Danny Higginbotham of Stoke City attempts to block Frank Lampard of Chelsea as he shoots for goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2010 in London, England.

The Blues have scored 7 the third time this season, previously scoring 7-1 against Aston Villa and another 7-2 win over Sunderland. What is even more interesting is that only 2 of these goals have been scored by the strikers. Coach Ancelloti must be a really happy man, having such depth in his ranks.

Stoke had conceded only 16 away goals all season before Sunday’s match. They weren’t able to attack much and were not much of a threat for Chelsea’s defence. Ashley Cole was back in action after a long time on the sidelines and with Terry suspended, Chelsea didn’t have anything to fear about.

The Blues face the Reds in the next game. It will be a tough outing since Liverpool will try their best to finish 4th in the league. Chelsea will play their final Premier League match this season, against Wigan Athletic on May 9.

Ancelloti commented:

“If we win two games, we are champions. I hope we play against Liverpool like we played today but they will want to fight against us to finish fourth. I think United will be able to win their games (against Sunderland and Stoke) but it is in our hands.”

Essien has been on the sidelines since the finals of the African Nations Cup held in January this year, now his recovery has been stalled with a few complications.

Michael Essien

He told his club website:

“If I can make it in time for the World Cup then great but if not I still have my whole career ahead of me and that is more important than anything.”

“The last thing I want to do is rush back too soon and cause further problems down the line.”

He also added:

“I started doing a little bit of running recently which was a big step forward but that led to some pain. A scan showed I had some bruising so I had to stop running and I am now taking it easy until the bruising dies down. Unfortunately I don’t think I will be making a repeat of last season and may not be returning for the last few league games and the FA Cup final (against Portsmouth next month).”

“As far as Chelsea goes I think my season is finished.”

Manchester United must be thanking the heavens and also Spurs for keeping their title hopes alive.

Jermain Defoe scores from the penalty spot during the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at White Hart Lane on April 17, 2010.

United started the day four points adrift of Chelsea and are now just a point behind with three matches remaining. The Red Devils managed a late win over archrivals Manchester City with a last-gasp goal from Paul Scholes.

Chelsea were reduced to 10 men after captain John Terry was sent off in the 66th minute for a second yellow card. Jermain Defoe scored the opener with a 15th minute penalty, after Chelsea captain John Terry was penalised for handling the ball, he later collected a second yellow card.

Gareth Bale hammered in a second just before halftime. Frank Lampard pulled a goal back for the visitors in stoppage time.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said:

“We were a little bit down but this is football. The title is still in our hands, we don’t have to be afraid. We have to stay calm and look at the next game.”

Fabio Capello took this decision and informed JT at a short meeting held at Wembley this afternoon. This decision doesn’t come as a shock to anyone since Terry had allegedly had an affair with Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend. Read here.

Capello had to take a firm stand in order to maintain stability in the team, which is the need of the hour with the World Cup right around the corner.

“After much thought I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry,”

said the Italian in a statement.

He added:

“However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice and John Terry was notified first.”

Terry commented:

“I fully respect Fabio Capello’s decision. I will continue to give everything for England.”