Crespo winner gives Chelsea parity
 |
Crespo's winner lifted Chelsea after two successive defeats.
Story Tools
|
LONDON, England -- Argentine Hernan Crespo scored the winner as Chelsea beat Fulham 1-0 in the west London derby to join Arsenal on top of the English Premiership.
Crespo's classic 62nd minute header and a string of fine saves by goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini gave the big-spenders the three points as they drew exactly level with Arsenal on points, goal difference and goals scored.
Arsenal were ahead at Bolton through Robert Pires but Henrik Pedersen scored a late deserved equalizer.
Third-placed Manchester United can go top with victory at Tottenham Hotspur in a match on Sunday.
Chelsea have not lost away to Fulham since the 1976-77 season, but had to be at their most resilient after successive defeats to Bolton and Aston Villa.
Damien Duff, Adrian Mutu and John Terry all wasted glorious chances before the break and Frank Lampard and the lively Crespo continued the theme before Crespo thumped home a pinpoint cross from Wayne Bridge after 62 minutes.
Chelsea's joy at joining Arsenal at the top was tempered by the news that Irish winger Damien Duff had dislocated his shoulder during the match and is likely to miss their Christmas fixtures.
Bolton, who scored twice in the final 16 minutes of the corresponding fixture last season for a draw that derailed Arsenal's title charge, left it late again as Pedersen lashed in a left-footed equaliser seven minutes from time.
Arsenal squandered several chances to take the lead before Frenchman Pires finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, scoring from close range after Freddie Ljungberg's shot had been blocked.
Pedersen had been instrumental in Bolton's shock win at Chelsea last week, his cross being turned into his own net by John Terry.
Charlton and Newcastle, who are among a number of teams scrambling for the fourth Champions League spot in England, drew 0-0 at the Valley, with the visiting goalkeeper Shay Given outstanding.
Thomas Radzinski gave Everton some respite in their relegation battle by scoring the 79th minute winner in a 3-2 victory over Leicester at Goodison Park.
Wayne Rooney had drawn Everton level eight minutes before after goals by Les Ferdinand and Jamie Scowcroft threatened to give the visitors all three points.
Colombian Juan-Pablo Angel, who was outstanding in Aston Villa's midweek League Cup victory over Chelsea, secured three much-needed points for his side by scoring the second in their 2-0 win at Blackburn.
Bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers had their home game against Liverpool postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, while Birmingham City's match against Middlesbrough was also the victim of torrential rain that swept the country.
