Spurs and Gunners lead

Tottenham’s bid for Champions League qualification was looking healthy as they led 1-0 away to Everton at the break today.

Robbie Keane’s 34th-minute penalty did the damage after the Republic of Ireland captain was fouled by Alan Stubbs.

Spurs were on course to maintain their four-point lead on north London rivals Arsenal, who were 1-0 up on West Brom at Highbury.

The Gunners’ goal was a classy affair as Alexander Hleb played a one-two with Thierry Henry before burying a left-foot shot past Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Baggies’ relegation rivals Portsmouth were involved in a scoreless game against Middlesbrough at Fratton Park.

Newcastle came from behind to lead 2-1 against Wigan at St James’ Park.

The Latics, aiming for a seventh away game without defeat in the league, made a great start when Jimmy Bullard curled a right-foot free-kick past a stationary Shay Given in the Magpies goal in the fifth minute.

But the hosts levelled through an Alan Shearer penalty (28) after Reto Ziegler fouled Michael Chopra and Titus Bramble was then allowed a free header from Nolberto Solano’s corner to put the hosts ahead.

Fulham skipper Luis Boa Morte was in inspired form as his side held a 2-1 advantage against capital rivals Charlton at Craven Cottage.

His low 15th-minute free-kick from the right took Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre completely by surprise and beat him at his near post.

The Addicks equaliser also came following a set-piece 11 minutes later as Jason Euell got the final touch when Antti Niemi failed to deal with Darren Ambrose’s corner from the left.

However, Portugal international Boa Morte restored the Cottagers’ lead on the half-hour as he latched onto Brian McBride’s knockdown, powered past Euell and Gonzalo Sorondo and fired a low shot into Myhre’s bottom right-hand corner.

West Ham enhanced their hopes of finishing comfortably in the top 10 by leading Manchester City 1-0 at Upton Park. The FA Cup semi-finalists forged ahead through Shaun Newton (15).

Earlier, Chelsea opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership with a 2-0 win at Bolton in a lunchtime kick-off at the Reebok Stadium.

Manchester United’s surprise goalless draw with Sunderland on Good Friday had presented Jose Mourinho’s men with the chance to extend their advantage, and they took it with characteristic ruthlessness.

Chelsea’s opener came in the 43rd minute when Frank Lampard swung in a free-kick from deep on the left and John Terry stretched to head past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The win was sealed 14 minutes into the second half when Hernan Crespo cut in from the left and fed the advancing Lampard, and the England midfielder poked home a rising shot from six yards.

The Blues can now wrap up the title on Easter Monday if results go their way.