Chelsea, Liverpool keep Manchester United in sight

Chelsea narrowed Manchester United's [ Images ] lead in the Premier League to four points on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory at Portsmouth while Liverpool also kept their slender title hopes alive with a 2-0 defeat of Sunderland.

United have two games in hand on both, starting with their trip to struggling Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Fifth-placed Arsenal [ Images ] ended their recent goal famine when Nicklas Bendtner scored twice in a 3-1 victory at bottom club West Bromwich Albion which put them just three points behind Aston Villa in the race for a top-four spot.

Chelsea were unimpressive in torrential rain at Fratton Park and the home side had two glorious opportunities to go ahead before Didier Drogba's [ Images ] fine finish 11 minutes from time settled the points.

It was Chelsea's fourth consecutive victory by the odd goal since Guus Hiddink [ Images ] replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari [ Images ] as manager.

Chelsea have 58 points from 28 games but are above long-time leaders Liverpool on goal difference.

Liverpool went ahead seven minutes after the break when Steven Gerrard [ Images ] headed the ball across goal for David Ngog [ Images ] to tap in his first Premier League goal.

The home side doubled their lead when keeper Marton Fulop made a meal of saving an overhead kick from Ngog and Yossi Benayoun [ Images ], who scored the winner in the Champions League [ Images ] victory at Real Madrid [ Images ] last week, tucked in the rebound.