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Frank Lampard and Arjen Robben lifted Chelsea over Portsmouth while Arsenal's away-day blues continued at Blackburn and Everton's unbeaten run ended at Newcastle.
Pompey arrived at Stamford Bridge in woeful form, but battled bravely keeping Jose Mourinho's champions out until midway through the second half.
Eidur Gudjohnsen cleverly dummied the ball for Lampard who made no mistake from the edge of the area before Robben settled the contest late on.
Again Gudjohnsen was the provider as he lofted the ball over Pompey's defence for the Dutch flyer to control and fire past the on-rushing Dean Kiely.
In the evening kick-off Newcastle claimed the three points against Everton at St James' Park thanks to Nolberto Solano's second half brace.
The Peruvian opened the scoring with a close-range strike before settling the destination of the points with a fine finish from the outside the box.
Arsenal's dismal away form continued after they failed to recover from conceding early on thanks to Morten Gamst Pedersen's close-range strike.
Craig Bellamy did well down the right and he raced to the by-line before crossing for Pedersen to slot home leaving Jens Lehmann with no chance of a save.
Blackburn fully deserved their win, but their inability to bag a second enabled The Gunners to cause Mark Hughes' side some nervy moments.
Sunderland are all but mathematically down after losing 1-0 to fellow strugglers Birmingham City at St Andrews.
Emile Heskey was the hero for Steve Bruce's men with his first-half header from Jermaine Pennant's pin-point free kick giving Blues all three points.
Aston Villa and Charlton remain safely in mid-table following a goalless draw at The Valley.
Results
Birmingham 1-0 Sunderland
Blackburn 1-0 Arsenal
Charlton 0-0 Aston Villa
Chelsea 2-0 Portsmouth
Newcastle 2-0 Everton
