Mido stops Liverpool, Kalou boosts Chelsea

Salomon Kalou scored twice as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough and moved up to second in the table. Kalou volleyed in his first on the hour after David Wheater had failed to properly clear a Frank Lampard corner. His second came from the same source with Lampard’s corner finding the Ivorian unmarked in the box to head in.

Mido scored a late penalty on his Wigan debut to further dent Liverpool’s Premier League title ambitions. The Egypt striker struck the ball past Pepe Reina after Lucas Leiva had clumsily brought down Jason Koumas. Yossi Benayoun had brilliantly put Liverpool ahead from a tight angle, while Fernando Torres hit the post. Liverpool have 48 points with Aston Villa in fourth and a point further back.

Fifth-placed Arsenal’s fading title hopes suffered another blow despite Robin van Persie rescuing a point with a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park against sixth-placed Everton. Britain’s most expensive footballer Robinho, arrested earlier this week over allegations of serious sexual assault, played his part in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United. In other games, West Ham United beat Hull City 2-0 and Blackburn Rovers drew 2-2 at home with Bolton Wanderers.