Champions Chelsea [ Images ] opened a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday with goals from Florent Malouda [ Images ] and Salomon Kalou [ Images ].

Malouda struck his seventh league goal of the season and Kalou came off the bench to seal victory after the break for Carlo Ancelotti's [ Images ] side whose early-season torrent of goals has slowed to a trickle in recent weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur [ Images ] rose to third, seven points behind Chelsea, after Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart made it five goals in seven since joining the north London [ Images ] club, notching his side's equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to improving Everton.

West Bromwich Albion [ Images ] maintained their dream start to life back in the top flight, moving into fourth place with a 2-1 home defeat of Fulham [ Images ] while Birmingham City [ Images ] beat Blackpool 2-0.

Sunderland beat Aston Villa [ Images ] 1-0 and Wigan Athletic's home match against Bolton Wanderers ended 1-1. Bottom club West Ham United host Newcastle United later on Saturday.

Manchester City [ Images ] can reduce Chelsea's lead on Sunday when they host Arsenal [ Images ] while Manchester United [ Images ], down in sixth place, end their turbulent week away to Stoke City [ Images ]. Liverpool are at home against Blackburn Rovers.