October 22, 2006	Sunday	Ramazan 28, 1427

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LONDON, Oct 21: Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko ended his Chelsea goal drought with the opener in a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth that took the champions back to the top of the Premier League on Saturday.

Shevchenko's first goal in 10 games made the breakthrough in the 55th minute and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack headed the second two minutes later before Zimbabwean forward Benjamin Mwaruwari pulled one back for Pompey.

Victory sent Jose Mourinho's side three points clear of Manchester United, who play Liverpool in the weekend's showcase match at Old Trafford on Sunday.

In Saturday's other games, Everton beat 10-man Sheffield United 2-0, Wigan Athletic notched their biggest top-flight win by thrashing Manchester City 4-0 and Charlton Athletic's game with Watford ended goalless.

Aston Villa were playing Fulham in the late kickoff (1615 GMT).

Two goals inside the first four minutes set Wigan Athletic on their way to the club's drubbing of Manchester City.

Former England striker Emile Heskey fired home in the second minute and an own goal by City defender Richard Dunne within two more minutes knocked the stuffing out of Stuart Pearce's men.

Another two-goal blast in the second half saw Senegal forward Henri Camara poke in the third after 65 minutes and Ecuador midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia rifle in two minutes later.

Their second victory of the season lifted a previously struggling Wigan, who reached the English top-flight for the first time last season, well clear of the relegation zone.

Results:

Charlton Athletic 0 Watford 0

Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 1

Everton 2 Sheffield United 0

Wigan Athletic 4 Manchester City 0

—Reuters