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Chelsea narrow gap to three points

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LONDON, England -- The English Premier League title race was blown wide open on Saturday when a rare goal from central defender Ricardo Carvalho gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Tottenham before Manchester United slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth.

A catastrophic misunderstanding between United's Rio Ferdinand and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar presented Portsmouth with the decisive goal.

United's lead at the top of the Premiership is down to three points with six matches to go, including a meeting between Chelsea and United at Stamford Bridge on May 9.

Carvalho struck with a 52nd minute long range effort that eluded Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who looked to be unsighted by his defense.

It came after Tottenham's best attack of the match as Jerrmaine Jenas' cross was helped on by Hossam Ghaly for his Egyptina counterpart Mido to bring a stunning reaction save from Petr Cech.

The first half had been a sterile affair with Chelsea pressing but getting few clear glimpses of goal.

Carvalho's effort pepped up Spurs who must have been weary after playing a UEFA Cup quarterfinal tie in Sevilla 39 hours previously and made five changes from the team beaten 2-1 in Spain.

Jermain Defoe, playing in place of Dimitar Berbatov who was rested to the bench, again bought out the best in Cech as they pressed for an equalizer.

Robinson partially redeemed himself with a reaction save from Salomon Kalou and he then kept out a fierce drive from 30-goal Didier Drogba.

Eight minutes from time, a powerful header by substitute Berbatov from a Steed Malbranque free-kick forced a fine save from Cech.

Another bright spot for Chelsea was the return to Premier league action for Joe Cole.

The England midfielder played 14 minutes of his side's Champions League quarterfinal clash against Valencia on Wednesday, and followed that up with five minutes against Spurs, earning a yellow card for a clumsy foul on Didier Zokoro but looking generally sharp.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said: "In the first half we were by far the better side.After that, Tottenham came more into it, played well and had a great shot and great header but Petr Cech was there to give us the security we needed.

"We deserved it and because Tottenham gave us a hard time it has an even better meaning."

Punished

United kicked off at Portsmouth more than two hours after Chelsea had completed their victory, and they were punished for slack defending in the 30th minute.

Kieran Richardson was caught in possession on the edge of the area by Benjani, whose dipping shot was parried but not held by van der Sar. Matthew Taylor muscled his way past Ferdinand to force the ball in.

Former England goalkeeper David James preserved Portsmouth's lead with fine saves from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in quick succession before tipping over a powerful shot from Ryan Giggs and holding a Wes Brown header.

Portsmouth threatened in breakaways and van der Sar did brilliantly to keep out efforts from Kanu and Sean Davis.

The game seemed to be settled in the final minute of normal time when van der Sar came out and Ferdinand steered the ball past him into an empty net but United hit back with a stoppage time goal from John O'Shea after James fumbled a Solskjaer shot.

There was still time for Alan Smith to drive in a shot which James saved splendidly.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I've got no complaints with our effort today" He told Sky Sports: "The travelling and playing Roma with 10 men told on us today."

"Six games to go, three points ahead and a better goal difference...given that at the start of the season I would have snatched that.

"We're a little bit stretched in terms of playing the young players all the time but I've got the benefit of an FA Cup tie next weekend and a 10-day break from the league programme, which is probably at the right time for us."


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Carvalho prepares to strike the winning goal at Stamford Bridge.

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