Chelsea moved to the brink of their first league title for 50 years with a workmanlike 3-1 victory over Fulham in the west London derby on Saturday. The Premier League trophy will belong to Chelsea on Monday if champions Arsenal fail to win their north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, or on Saturday if Chelsea beat Bolton Wanderers.
Joe Cole put the leaders ahead on 17 minutes, Collins John levelled for Fulham before halftime and England midfielder Frank Lampard restored Chelsea's lead on 64 minutes with their 100th goal of the season.
Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen sprinted away on the break in the 87th minute to put the result at Stamford Bridge beyond doubt.
Chelsea are now top of the table on 85 points with four games left, followed by Arsenal on 71 and Manchester United, who host Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday, on 67.
In the day's other early kickoff, Everton's Champions League hopes suffered a setback after their midweek win over Manchester United as they scrambled a 1-1 home draw with Birmingham City. Striker Duncan Ferguson scored an 86th-minute equaliser.
The day's main focus, however, was in west London, where Jose Mourinho's debut season in English football continued to go from strength to strength for the League Cup winners.
Chelsea's victory was also an invaluable morale boost as they prepare for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Liverpool.
Cole was a constant menace in the first half and his goal was superb, a curling shot from the edge of the area after starting with his back to goal.
Fulham's John levelled after shrugging off defender Ricardo Carvalho but Lampard rifled home Chelsea's second after a deft cut-back by Dutch substitute Arjen Robben.
Gudjohnsen coolly slotted home the third in the 87th minute after beating Fulham's offside trap to secure what was ultimately a comfortable victory for Mourinho's side.
Further down the table, there was another twist in the race to finish fourth and claim a place in the Champions League qualifiers.
Ferguson, who also scored the winner against United, gave Everton a four-point cushion ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Both clubs have played 34 games.
