Premier League Mid-Week 33: Chelsea moves into 3rd, United steal point at Upton Park

As Rafa Benitez is prone to do, he had his side start the second half in a very conservative manner, protecting their two-goal lead. The first event in the second half of any real note came in the 70th minute, when Mladen Petric inadvertently blocked a header from Senderos off the line while trying to divert it into the back of the net, and was called for offside. Much like their only previous excellent chance of the game, it came very shortly before a Chelsea goal.

• FA should revisit retroactive punishment

• FA should revisit retroactive punishment

• MLS player suspended for gay slur

Neither Arsenal or Everton will be terribly happy with their performance or the result that they played to on Tuesday. A point at the Emirates is nothing to scoff at for the Toffees, but the gap between them and fourth place might increase this weekend following their 0-0 draw.

Mikel Arteta had the game on his feet in the 90th minute when he made a marauding run forward from his deep central midfield spot, sprinting onto a through ball from Santi Cazorla, but he dwelled on the ball instead of shooting early. That allowed Seamus Coleman to recover and poke the ball back to Howard, who cleared away.

With teams having to make up fixtures due to European and FA Cup play, fans get four bonus mid-week games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a game which will act as a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final, Manchester City will look to close the gap on league leaders Manchester United further against a Wigan side still in the bottom three, though who have recently hit their annual purple patch, and have won four of their last five games in all competitions. Still, it’s hard to see Roberto Martínez’s team continuing their streak here, with only City’s cross-town rivals United having won at the Etihad in the league this season.