Scrappy win puts Chelsea back in second

Liverpool later completed a quartet of wins for the top four with a 1-0 defeat of Everton at Anfield. The result tightened their grip on fourth place, which is worth a slot in the Champions League qualifiers.

Fernando Torres scored his 21st league goal of the season to defeat a subdued Everton side who now look destined for a UEFA Cup spot.

Chelsea, unbeaten at home in the league for four years, survived a nervy second half to move back above Arsenal into second place with 71 points from 32 games to United8217;s 76.

Arsenal, who beat Bolton Wanderers 3-2, have 70 points, with Liverpool back on 62 and Everton on 57.

Chelsea8217;s display did little to suggest they will be able to close the gap in the six games they have left. 8220;It was important to win at this stage of the season but the quality was not there today,8221; manager Avram Grant said. 8220;Maybe we scored too early. We didn8217;t play our game, sometimes there is no reason for it.8221;