A Norwich City fan shouts at Chelsea's manager Andre
Villas-Boas during their Premier League match at Carrow
Road in Norwich. REUTERS/Darren Staples
Chelsea wasted the chance to get back into the Premier
League title race after Norwich City defended resolutely to
earn a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road on Saturday, their frustrations
increased by an injury to midfielder Frank Lampard.
Fourth-placed Chelsea moved to 41 points, 10 behind leaders
Manchester City, who face third-placed Tottenham Hotspur at
home on Sunday.
England midfielder Lampard tore a muscle in the first half
while Fernando Torres, their 50.0 million pounds signing from
Liverpool a year ago, failed to score for the 15th successive
match.
Newcastle United's aspirations for a top four finish were
also dented after they took the lead through Danny Guthrie
after 43 minutes at Fulham -- then conceded four goals in 16
minutes at the start of the second half and ended up losing
5-2.
Clint Dempsey scored his second hat-trick in three games
while Fulham's other goals came from penalties converted by
Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora.
Queens Park Rangers climbed out of the bottom three, winning
their first game under new manager Mark Hughes by beating
Wigan Athletic 3-1 while Blackburn Rovers stayed fourth from
bottom after a 1-1 draw at Everton where Tim Cahill scored
for the first time in 34 matches.
Ireland striker Robbie Keane, on loan at Aston Villa from Los
Angeles Galaxy, scored twice on his full debut to give Villa
a 3-2 win at 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers were he started
his career 15 years ago.
In other matches, West Bromwich Albion won 2-1 at Stoke City
after home midfielder Jon Walters missed a penalty and
Sunderland beat Swansea City 2-0.
Liverpool play at Bolton Wanderers in the evening match,
while fifth-placed Arsenal and second-placed Manchester
United, like City and Spurs, play on Sunday.
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