Drogba double puts Chelsea back on top

Didier Drogba scored twice as Chelsea grabbed back top spot in the Premier League on Saturday with a 4-1 home win over London rivals West Ham United.                                           

The Ivory Coast striker took his league tally for the season to 21 with two goals after the break to finish off struggling West Ham who had drawn level when former Chelsea player Scott Parker cancelled out Alex's early header.                                           

Chelsea, for whom Florent Malouda was also on target, moved to 64 points from 29 games while champions Manchester United, who host Fulham on Sunday, have 63.

Arsenal can also reach 64 points with victory at Hull City later on Saturday.                                           

Two goals by Roman Pavlyuchenko helped fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur maintain their push for Champions League qualification with a 3-1 home defeat of Blackburn Rovers.        

Aston Villa, one of Tottenham's rivals for fourth spot, lost ground with a 0-0 draw at Stoke City. Fifth-placed Manchester City play at Sunderland on Sunday.                                           

Burnley look increasingly likely to make a quick return to the Championship (second division) after a morale-sapping 2-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.   

Bolton Wanderers thrashed Wigan Athletic 4-0 and Birmingham City recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Everton.