Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish suffered a setback when they could only draw 0-0 with Tottenham Hotspur in a disappointing Premier League derby on Saturday that was great news for resurgent Arsenal who beat Aston Villa 3-0. Fourth-placed Tottenham remain five points above Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification with eight matches remaining although they could have earned a first win at Stamford Bridge since 1990 with better finishing.
---- Liverpool suffer 2-1 home defeat by Wigan
The draw gave Spurs 55 points, three behind Arsenal who cemented third spot with a seventh straight league win thanks to goals from Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Mikel Arteta. Wigan Athletic gave their survival prospects a boost with a shock 2-1 victory at seventh-placed Liverpool who have now won only twice in 11 league games. Wolverhampton Wanderers remained bottom after a 2-1 defeat at Norwich City. Swansea City lost 2-0 at home to Everton.
Tottenham have lost three and drawn two of their last five league games and have seen big leads over Arsenal and Chelsea vanish. Manager Harry Redknapp stayed upbeat even though his side hit the bar through Gareth Bale and wasted several excellent chances in warm sunshine at Stamford Bridge.
"It was a big point for us and it keeps them five points behind us," Redknapp told Sky Sports. "We had some great chances and their keeper (Petr Cech) made some great saves. Counterpart Roberto Di Matteo argued Chelsea could have been awarded a couple of penalties but also said his team lacked a real goal threat.
"There was a clear penalty shout for us when (Benoit Assou) Ekotto pulled down Ramires at the far post," he said. "But we didn't create enough clear chances to get the goal we needed. It won't be easy (to get in the top four) but we'll try until the end."
A soporific first half saw Spurs content to pass the ball at leisure and Chelsea struggling to inject any tempo despite needing the victory more than the visitors.
Rafael van der Vaart should have put Spurs ahead in stoppage time when Luka Modric's cross found him unmarked but he shot straight at Cech and when the ball broke to him again his follow-up attempt was blocked by Ashley Cole. Chelsea face Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek. In Saturday's evening kickoff, Manchester City can return to the top of the table by avoiding defeat at Stoke City. Manchester United, one point ahead of Manchester City, play at home to Fulham on Monday.
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