Luiz Felipe Scolari started with both Nicolas Anelka and Drogba for the first time this season and the Ivory Coast striker took only three minutes to break the deadlock when he headed Joe Cole's cross past Scott Carson to give Chelsea the lead.

Frank Lampard then picked up on Ashley Cole's deflected cross to chip over Carson and double Chelsea's lead on the stroke of half time.

Chelsea continued to press in the second half and Carson had to be at his best to keep out Drogba just after the hour.

West Brom never looked like coming back into it as Chelsea strolled to their first home league win in almost two months.

Manchester United overcame a stubborn Stoke side in a fiery encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

United had chances from two early corners but Stoke also posed a threat and Ricardo Fuller went close when he latched on to a through ball but could not beat the on-rushing Edwin van der Sar.

Wayne Rooney then had a golden chance to give United the lead just before half time but he miscued a Carlos Tevez through ball.

The second half began at a frenetic pace as United looked to break the deadlock.

Tempers started to fray and Andy Wilkinson picked up his second yellow after hacking down Cristiano Ronaldo with 20 minutes left.

United then finally broke Stoke's resolve seven minutes from time when Tevez tapped home Dimitar Berbatov's cross after some good work down the right by Gary Neville.

Craig Bellamy underlined his importance to West Ham by scoring twice in the Hammers' 4-1 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Nadir Belhadj gave Portsmouth an early lead but the Hammers levelled soon after through Jack Collison.

West Ham made former Hammer Jermaine Defoe pay for missing a stoppage-time penalty kick by taking hold of the game in the second half.

Carlton Cole turned home a Valon Behrami cross to put West Ham ahead before Spurs transfer target Bellamy raced through the Pompey defence and beat David James with 20 minutes left.

Bellamy picked up a return pass from Luis Boa Morte to seal the Hammers' fourth with seven minutes left.

Neither side could break the deadlock at White Hart Lane where Tottenham entertained Fulham.

Luka Modric had Spurs' best chance of the game in the first half when he cut inside from the left flank and fired a 25-yard shot at goal but Mark Schwarzer was equal to the Croatian's effort.

Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has had his critics this season but he had to be at his best to prevent Andy Johnson from scoring after he was put clear towards the end of the second half.

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Aston Villa reclaimed third place after Zat Knight struck late on to give the Villans a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Villa Park.

Denilson and Abou Diaby had given the Gunners a commanding lead and they looked in control until the 65th minute when William Gallas hauled down Gabriel Agbonlahor just inside the box.

Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot and Gareth Barry powered his spot kick past Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal looked set for victory until Knight picked up a deflected Barry cross inside the box and fired past Almunia to rescue a point for Villa and keep them level on points with Manchester United.