Chelsea keep up chase, Arsenal's title bid fades

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 for the third time this season on Saturday as the London side's Premier League title hopes suffered another blow.

Peter Crouch fired Liverpool ahead shortly before halftime and although Nicklas Bendtner headed in an equaliser after the break Arsenal's chase of Manchester United now looks forlorn.

Chelsea moved three points clear of Arsenal into second place, two behind leaders United who play Middlesbrough on Sunday, after a comfortable 2-0 win at Manchester City.

Fulham look like joining Derby County through the relegation trapdoor after losing 3-1 at home to Sunderland while Bolton Wanderers were hammered 4-0 at Aston Villa to leave their survival chances looking slim.

Birmingham City remain just above the bottom three after losing 2-0 at fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic. Newcastle United picked up a third consecutive win to end their relegation worries, beating Reading 3-0, while Blackburn Rovers drew 1-1 at home with Tottenham Hotspur.