Rafael Benitez came close to conceding defeat in the Premier League title battle after a shock 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough left Liverpool struggling to keep leaders Manchester United within sight.
The demoralizing defeat at the Riverside allowed Chelsea, who snatched a last-gasp winner against Wigan, to move into second place on goal difference.
But the real winners were champions Manchester United, who now stand seven points clear of both their closest rivals with a game in hand.
“Before the game it was very difficult [to catch United], now it will be more difficult,” Benitez said, before bemoaning the poor finishing that had cost his side the chance of victory.
“You have to take your chances if you want to win these games,” he said. “The first 30 minutes we had five chances and we didn’t score a goal. It has been a problem during the season and today has been the same.”
Three days after beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Liverpool were brought back down to earth with a painful bump as a Xabi Alonso own-goal and a second-half strike from man-of-the-match Tuncay Sanli gave Boro their first league win since Nov. 9.
Chelsea’s late show against Wigan Athletic epitomized the battling spirit they have rediscovered since Guus Hiddink’s arrival as temporary manager, but the Dutchman is not optimistic about the chances of chasing down United.
“Let’s be realistic,” Hiddink said. “We are depending on the loss of points of Man United and we must win our games. United is very stable but, as long as it is possible, we don’t give up.”
Chelsea had been far from convincing early on, but they seized control of the match midway through the opening period thanks to a John Terry volley that was deflected into the net off Emmerson Boyce.
Olivier Kapo claimed a 82nd-minute equalizer for Wigan, who were left aggrieved over what they felt was a push by Frank Lampard on Mario Melchiot just before he headed in the winner.
“It was a blatant push and the referee was only 10 yards away,” Wigan boss Steve Bruce said. “Sometimes you go to these big clubs and the amount of decisions that go against the smaller clubs is unbelievable. It really is.”
Arsenal were jeered off the pitch by their own supporters after a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham — their fifth straight draw in the league and a fourth consecutive goalless stalemate.
“We dropped two points we basically couldn’t afford to drop today,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, whose side now look as if they may have to win this year’s Champions League if they are to return to the tournament next season.
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill helped Everton move to within two points of fifth-placed Arsenal with a headed opener in a 2-0 win over bottom side West Bromwich Albion.
Cahill’s eighth goal of the season came late in the first half at Goodison Park and Louis Saha sealed the points with a sublime second after the break, leaving the Baggies winless in eight matches and looking doomed to an immediate return to the Championship.
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