LONDON, April 21: Chelsea kept alive their hopes of a Champions League place with a 4-1 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

The result saw Claudio Ranieri’s men move into third place in the Premiership table behind leaders Manchester United and second-placed Arsenal who are guaranteed two of the four automatic qualifying spots.

Elsewhere, Newcastle who started the day in third, suffered a blow when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa at St James’ Park.

Liverpool, kept up their pursuit of a Champions league place with a come from behind 2-1 win over Charlton that left the Reds in fifth place.

At the other end of the table, West Ham did their best to move out of the one remaining relegation spot with a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough.

But Bolton’s goalless draw against Lancashire rivals Blackburn kept Sam Allardyce’s men four points ahead of the Londoners.

At Stamford Bridge four different scorers wrapped up the points for Chelsea.

First Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s pass found strike partner Eidur Gudjohnsen and the Icelandic marksman’s 25th minute shot gave Everton keeper Richard Wright no chance.

Three minutes after half-time, the Londoners were 2-0 ahead when Jesper Gronkjaer’s cross was finished off by a spectacular looping header from Hasselbaink which drifted into the corner.

Chelsea’s third came courtesy of Gronkjaer, who latched onto John Terry’s free-kick in the 62nd minute with the Everton defence static.

Lee Carsley pulled one-back in the 77th minute but it was too late and with virtually the last kick of the match, Gianfranco Zola’s audacious lob sealed Chelsea’s win.

Peru international Nolbeto Solano gave Newcastle the lead at St James’ Park with Villa defender Gareth Barry at fault.

He argued with the referee after conceding a foul, the kick was advanced 10 metres and Solano curled the ball into the corner to give Newcastle a 37th minute lead.

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer played on with blood poring from a head wound that had to be bandaged twice after an accidental clash with Barry.

Veteran striker Dion Dublin ensured a share of the points when, after coming on as a substitute, he scored with his first touch of the match, heading home Steve Staunton’s cross in the 69th minute.

Liverpool suffered a setback at Anfield when South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett gave Charlton the lead in the 47th minute.

But two goals inside the final four minutes from Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard turned the match the home team’s way.

Trevor Sinclair was West Ham’s hero at Upton Park. After Paolo Di Canio was again left out of the line-up, Sinclair’s 77th minute strike kept West Ham’s faint hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

Already relegated West Brom at least made sure they went down fighting before losing 3-2 at home to Tottenham, Robbie Keane scoring twice for the visitors.

Daniele Dichio’s header put West Brom 1-0 up after 24 minutes.

But on the stroke of half-time at the Hawthorns, Tottenham — no longer able to qualify for Europe — levelled through Keane.

The Republic of Ireland international played a one-two with England veteran Teddy Sheringham and beat Russell Hoult when left clean through on the goalkeeper.

Neil Clement’s free-kick restored West Brom’s lead but, barely a minute later, Sheringham levelled, before Keane finished the match five minutes from time.

Birmingham twice came from behind with former France international Christophe Dugarry scoring twice, before beating FA Cup finalists Southampton 3-2.

Anders Svensson’s 26th minute strike put the Saints 1-0 up but the match see-sawed in a frantic final 15 minutes.

Dugarry’s 75th minute equaliser was wiped out by Brett Ormerod’s goal two minutes later.

But in the 79th minute Bryan Hughes put Birmingham back on terns before Dugarry ensured a win eight minutes from time.

Manchester City moved further away from danger when Marc Vivien Foe’s double set up a 3-0 win over already relegated Sunderland.

First, as the Sunderland defence were distracted by Robbie Fowler’s run into the box, Nicolas Anelka’s cross found the unmarked Foe who slotted home in the 36th minute.

And barely two minutes later Fowler himself was on the scoresheet with a lob.

Foe had his second 10 minutes from time when he slotted home from close range.

Leeds, who are three points clear of West Ham at the foot of the table, face Fulham on Tuesday.

Monday’s results:

Birmingham City 3 Southampton 2

Blackburn Rovers 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

Chelsea 4 Everton 1

Liverpool 2 Charlton Athletic 1

Manchester City 3 Sunderland 0

Newcastle United 1 Aston Villa 1

West Bromwich 2 Tottenham Hotspur 3

West Ham United 1 Middlesbrough 0 —AFP/Reuters