Chelsea continued their recent fine results after edging Charlton Athletic 1-0 while Liverpool's Premiership hopes almost faded following a goalless draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday. Defending Champions Chelsea are second in the Premiership table with 57 points, three adrift of leaders Manchester United who face Tottenham Hotspur later on Sunday. Liverpool lie third on 50 points. At Charlton's venue The Valley, Frank Lampard fired a long-range trademark drive into the bottom corner of the net in the 18th minute. Blues could have doubled the lead on several occasions but Charlton had to thank keeper Scott Carson for keeping their hopes of leveling the score alive.
Liverpool were frustrated by Everton Ukranian striker Andriy Shevchenko connected with Wayne Bridge's inch-perfect cross to head just wide while Didier Drogba's shot was blocked by Carson at the near post. Charlton had two late chances to level the score through midfielder Amady Faye but was denied by Czech Republic keeper Petr Cech. Elsewhere, Liverpool failed to break Everton's resilient defense to settle for a goalless draw at Anfield Road.
