Chelsea beats Fulham 3-2

London:

Striker Hernan Crespo scored in the 74th minute and Chelsea won 3-2 after Fulham had rallied from two goals down in the English Premier League. The Argentina international volleyed spectacularly past Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley after winger Joe Cole's cross looped over defender Zat Knight. The Blues improved to 16-1-1. Chelsea (49 points) retains its nine-point lead in the standings after second-place Manchester United beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 with goals from Paul Scholes, RioFerdinand and Ruud van Nistlerooy. Liverpool ruined former striker Michael Owen's first trip back to Anfield by defeating Newcastle 2-0 to stay third with 34 points - ahead on goal difference from Tottenham, which beat Birmingham 2-0. Elsewhere, it was: Charlton 0, Arsenal 1; Wigan 4, Manchester City 3; Middlesbrough 0, Blackburn 2; Portsmouth 1, West Ham 1; Sunderland 0, Bolton 0; and Aston Villa 4, Everton 0. (AP)