LONDON, 10 April 2005 — Chelsea were eight minutes away from their first home defeat of the season yesterday before substitute Didier Drogba scored to give the runaway Premier League leaders a 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City. The result leaves Chelsea 11 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, 1-0 winners at Middlesbrough, with six matches to go as they chase their first league title for 50 years.

Manchester United, however, were left 14 points adrift in third place after a shock 2-0 defeat at bottom side Norwich City.

Chelsea have 81 points, Arsenal 70 and United 67. On-loan Uruguayan Walter Pandiani shocked Chelsea by giving Birmingham the lead in the 65th minute. His goal could have ended the London side’s 22-match unbeaten run in the league and unbeaten home run of 33 games in all competitions going back to February 2004.

However, Drogba equalized when he pounced on a fine lay-off by Frank Lampard for his 10th goal of the season.

Norwich scored twice in 11 minutes through Dean Ashton and Leon McKenzie, who struck with a superb left-footed volley, to end United’s 20-match unbeaten league run.

With Everton not playing until today when they host relegation candidates Crystal Palace, the chase was on for their closest rivals in the fight to secure England’s fourth Champions League berth next season.

Bolton Wanderers made the most of their chance by beating 10-man Fulham 3-1 at home, whereas Liverpool went down to a surprise 1-0 defeat away against Manchester City.

Positions are tight with Liverpool still fifth, one point behind Everton, who have 51, and Bolton sixth only one point further back.

Frenchman Alain Perrin celebrated his debut as Portsmouth manager with a 4-2 home win over Charlton Athletic that eased their relegation worries with only their second victory in 13 league games.

Dundee United Rally to

Reach Scottish Cup Final

In Glasgow, Dundee United recovered from a goal down to beat Hibernian 2-1 and reach their first Scottish FA Cup final for 11 years.

Derek Riordan fired Hibs ahead with a penalty after 58 minutes but Jimmy McIntyre equalized and substitute Jason Scotland crashed in a magnificent winner with 14 minutes remaining.

United will meet the winner oftoday’s semifinal between Hearts and Celtic, and their caretaker manager Gordon Chisholm was pleased with the victory. “I am absolutely delighted for the crowd, the players and the club,” he told BBC Scotland.

Milan Held at Home

After Late Brescia Strike

In Milan, AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Brescia yesterday giving title rivals Juventus a chance to take over as leaders of Serie A. A thundering 87th minute strike by defender Pier Wome earned the visitors a point after Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa had put Milan ahead in the 14th minute with a superb curling shot.

The draw, which ends Milan’s run of eight straight wins, leaves the champions a point ahead of Juventus, who are away to Fiorentina later. Third-placed Inter Milan, who face their city rivals in a Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday, won 1-0 at Bologna with Julio Ricardo Cruz scoring the winner against his old club in the fourth minute.

Bayern Move Clear After

Win and Schalke Defeat

In Frankfurt, Bayern Munich moved three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga yesterday thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach and a helping hand from VfB Stuttgart, who beat Schalke 04 3-0.

With six games left to play, Bayern lead the standings with 59 points, followed by Schalke with 56. Third-placed Stuttgart, needing victory to force their way back into the title reckoning, overpowered Schalke with a Kevin Kuranyi hat trick. They now have 54 points and a realistic chance of claiming the championship, with a home game to come against Bayern on the last day of the season. Bayern were short of the attacking inspiration they will need when they take on Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday and fell behind to a second-half Ivo Ulich goal, following a mistake from goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Mehmet Scholl brought them level almost immediately and Moenchengladbach had Craig Moore sent off before Michael Ballack headed the winner six minutes from time.

Bayern had most reason to be satisfied with the afternoon’s events after coming through a tricky home game and seeing Schalke’s hopes take a big blow.

Frau Double Helps Leaders Lyon

Draw at Struggling Nantes

In Paris, two goals by Pierre-Alain Frau gave leaders Olympique Lyon a hard-earned 2-2 draw at struggling Nantes in yesterday’s early Ligue 1 kickoff. Lyon’s lead at the top is now 14 points over Lille whose game in Monaco on today has been called off as a mark of respect for Prince Rainier III who died on Wednesday.

Third-placed Olympique Marseille, who are level on 52 points with Lille, have a chance to close the gap on Lyon when they visit Racing Strasbourg later on Saturday.

Nantes remain 15th in the standings five points above the relegation zone with six matches left to play.

An under-strength Lyon side were 1-0 up after Frau slotted home a superb volley from a narrow angle in the 36th minute but Mauro Cetto equalized for the hosts in first-half injury time.