LONDON, March 4: Goals from Didier Drogba and Joe Cole gave Premier League leaders Chelsea a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in a bad-tempered Hawthorns clash on Saturday.

Drogba struck just after the break and Cole wrapped up the points for the champions with a close-range effort 10 minutes after replacing Damien Duff. Nwankwo Kanu struck a late consolation for West Bromwich.

Chelsea, who had Arjen Robben sent off after 62 minutes for a wild lunge, extended their lead to 18 points before third-placed Liverpool host Charlton Athletic later.

Arsenal revived their hopes of a top-four finish with a 4-0 thumping of Fulham at Craven Cottage to go fifth, West Ham’s surge was checked by a 2-2 home draw against Everton and Newcastle United’s improvement continued with a 3-1 defeat of Bolton Wanderers.

Fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur are at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday while second-placed Manchester United visit Wigan Athletic on Monday.

Hammers twice surrendered leads secured by Marlon Harewood and Dean Ashton.

But Everton, who replied through Leon Osman and James Beattie, were worthy of at least a point and almost snatched all three right at the end, when Beattie got on the end of Kevin Kilbane’s cross at the back post but could only find the side netting.

RESULTS: