Football: English Premiership: Gallas hits win for Chelsea

London, March 12 (ians) Defender William Gallas smashed a last minute winner from 25 metres as champions Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to extend their lead at the top of the English Premiership to 18 points.

Michael Essien scored his first goal Saturday for Chelsea to give the home side the lead on 13 minutes after good work from Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Tottenham matched Chelsea however, and Jermaine Jenas equalised just a minute before half time.

But just as it looked like the match would end in a draw, Gallas lashed in an unlikely winner that soared past Paul Robinson in the Spurs goal.

The winner was greeted with incredible scenes and the entire team embracing Gallas, including manager Jose Mourinho and several of the club's staff.

"Everybody wanted to win because after the game against Barcelona, it was difficult for us," Gallas said, referring to the side's exit from the Champions League in midweek at the hands of the Spanish side.

"You saw Mourinho on the pitch, it was not easy for him because he wanted to win against Barcelona, and was very upset. But today we showed everybody we are not dead.

"Tottenham played very well but when you score at the end of the game like this, it's magic."

Goals from Andy Todd and Craig Bellamy gave Blackburn Rovers a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, lifting Mark Hughes side to fifth in the table.

At the wrong end of the table, West Bromwich Albion, in 16th place - just one place and three points above the relegation zone, squandered a host of chances as they could only draw 1-1 at 17th-placed Birmingham City.

Mikael Forssell put Birmingham ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half, but substitute Nathan Ellington equalised on 70 minutes, to leave both sides still fighting for survival.

Portsmouth, second from bottom, moved to within two points of Birmingham, as they clinched a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester City at Fratton Park.

Miguel Pedro Mendes put Portsmouth ahead, but Richard Dunne's 83rd-minute goal looked to have dashed their hopes only for Mendes to hammer in the winner in the final minute to give Harry Redknapp's side the three points.

Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic boosted their chances of securing the fourth place and the final Champions League qualification berth next season as they both won.

Bolton hammered West Ham 4-1, with Stelios scoring twice while Henri Camara scored the only goal for Wigan as they won 1-0 at bottom-side Sunderland.

In the day's other game, James Beattie scored twice as Everton beat Fulham 3-1.