English Premier League: Chelsea, Manchester United Even On Points, Bolton Is Kinda Good

Chelsea's run of poor results continued, though their 1-0 loss at Birmingham City took on a decidedly different look than their poor efforts against Liverpool and Sunderland. On Saturday, the league leaders battered Brum but could not get a ball past Ben Foster, failing to score for the third time in four matches.

Chelsea played without Michael Essien (suspended), Frank Lampard (abductor), and John Terry (back) but still dominated the match. While some contend numbers don't matter, the stats from the match at St. Andrews not only tell you who controlled the match but also hint at who would be more likely to win on other days. Chelsea held 62 percent of possession, used to build a 32-3 advantage in shots, 9-1 in shots on goal.

The one shot Birmingham had came in the first half, Lee Bowyer running onto a knock-down from Cameron Jerome, beating Petr Cech for the match's only goal. Alex, after a surprise recovery from an ankle injury, failed to track Bowyer though the left-center of the Chelsea line, giving the Brum attacker an easy chance on goal.

Chelsea stays on 28 points, now even with Manchester United after the Red Devils beat Wigan 2-0 at Old Trafford. It was a typical, mercurial performance from United, who ultimately posted a decisive victory after an uncertain first half. Park Ji-Sung recorded his third goal of the season, while a late goal from Javier Hernández, his fourth of the year, gave United their insurance.

Chelsea remains in first thanks to a six goal advantage in difference. Arsenal, thanks to their loss to Tottenham, stays two back.

The most impressive performance of the 10:00 a.m. Eastern starts came in Bolton, where the Trotters routed the visiting Magpies, 5-1. Kevin Davies scored twice from the spot, Lee Chung-Yong had a controversial goal (offside appeal), while Johan Elmander had a brace of his own. The Swedish striker is up to eight goals for the season, tying him with Andy Carroll (who also scored) for the league's lead, moving Bolton into fourth place (pending Manchester City's result, tomorrow).

Elsewhere, goals by Luke Varney and Marlon Harwood staked Blackpool to a 2-1 win over visiting Wolves, while a spot conversation by Matthew Etherington and two late John Walters goals move Stoke into eighth, defeating West Bromwich Albion 0-3.