Shevchenko goal as Chelsea go top

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LONDON, England -- Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko snapped his Chelsea goal drought as the champions went to the top of the English Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

It was the first goal in 10 games for Shevchenko with Chelsea's other big- name summer signing Michael Ballack scoring a second just two minutes later.

Victory sent Jose Mourinho's side three points clear of Manchester United, who play Liverpool in the weekend's showcase match at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Shevchenko's goal, albeit deflected off Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell, will be a huge relief to the Ukraine captain, who cost Chelsea 30 million pounds ($56.45 million) with his move from AC Milan in May. He was booked for his goal celebrations.

After scoring against Liverpool in the Community Shield on August 13 and then against Middlesbrough in Chelsea's only league defeat of the season 10 days later, Shevchenko failed to score in the nine Premier League and Champions League matches since.

The strike, which punctured a superb display by Pompey keeper David James, was his first at Stamford Bridge and will have Mourinho hoping it will trigger a flurry of goals from a player who was prolific for Milan in Serie A.

"It was nice for him to score a goal and a very important goal for us," Mourinho told reporters.

"David James made great saves and I thought he would be unlucky again, then finally Sheva's goal was there.Hopefully he will get confidence."

Germany captain Ballack soon headed the second after the ball was nodded over by Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba and he also earned a booking.

Mwaruwari kept Harry Redknapp's men in the game, bundling the ball home after Portuguese keeper Hilario failed to collect the ball in a goalmouth melee, but an equaliser eluded them.

As in the midweek Champions League win over Barcelona, Hilario was deputising for Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, who were both knocked unconscious in last weekend's win at Reading.

Everton beat 10-man Sheffield United 2-0 to continue their impressive start to the season and move to fifth place.

Struggling Charlton and Watford played out a dull 0-0 draw, while in an earlier match Wigan pounded Manchester City 4-0.

City found themselves two down inside four minutes through a neat near post strike by Emile Heskey and a Richard Dunne own goal.

Further excellent strikes from Henri Camara and Antonio Valencia in the second half added to the pain for City manager Stuart Pearce.

Frustrating draw

Aston Villa remained unbeaten in the league this season but a fifth draw in their last six games, 1-1 at home to Fulham, will be somewhat frustrating for the Villa Park faithful.

They took the lead with a generously-awarded penalty in the 24th minute after Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov was man-handled by Fulham defender Liam Rosenior.

Gareth Barry rocketed home the spot-kick but German defender Moritz Volz fired an equaliser for Fulham on the stroke of half-time.

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