Chelsea maintain title hopes with win at Everton

Chelsea kept their title hopes alive when they beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on Thursday with a first-half goal from Michael Essien. The victory lifted Chelsea, who have three matches to play, on to 78 points, two behind leaders Manchester United who have a game in hand. Manchester United visit Chelsea on April 26. Defeat dented Everton's chances of catching Liverpool and securing fourth spot and a Champions League qualifying berth next season. With three matches to play, fifth-placed Everton have 61 points, five behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. The only goal of a dour match came with Chelsea's first shot on target. Shaun Wright-Phillips's reverse pass into the box was deflected into Essien's path and the Ghanaian midfielder chested the ball down before lifting it over goalkeeper Tim Howard. Essien was also on target in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge on Monday, when a late Wigan equaliser dented Chelsea's title aspirations. Although they stretched their unbeaten league run to 18 matches, Chelsea will fail to win the title if United win their next two matches at Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea. Neither side produced much of note and Everton rarely threatened to score as they bid to beat Chelsea for the first time in 20 matches dating back to May 2001.