Drogba strike gives Blues half-time lead

Didier Drogba’s early goal gave Premiership champions Chelsea the half-time advantage against Charlton at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast international, partnering Andriy Shevchenko, jabbed the ball home left-footed in the sixth minute after a Frank Lampard corner.

Michael Ballack’s header had been nudged off the line by Bryan Hughes, but Drogba was on hand to poach the opener.

Drogba could have stretched Chelsea’s lead in the all-London match but missed several good opportunities, while Lampard and Ballack also spurned chances in a one-sided 45 minutes.

New signing Ashley Cole began on the bench for Chelsea, Wayne Bridge keeping his place.

William Gallas, who joined Arsenal in the exchange deal which saw Cole head to Chelsea, made his Gunners debut at left-back against Middlesbrough.

It was an uncomfortable half for the Frenchman, however, as Middlesbrough established a 1-0 lead.

James Morrison played a slick one-two with new signing Jason Euell before firing Boro ahead from 12 yards with the outside of his right boot in the 22nd minute.

Newcastle were goalless at half-time against Fulham, who had Jimmy Bullard carried off on a stretcher with a serious leg injury.

The former Wigan player suffered his injury in a tackle with Newcastle captain Scott Parker, who appeared distressed by the damage sustained by Bullard.

Second-placed Portsmouth were seeking to go top of the table, ahead of Manchester United’s home match against Tottenham tonight, however they required a victory and were thwarted by Wigan during the first half at Fratton Park.

Defences were on top in a goalless half, although there were chances for Benjani Mwaruwari and Henri Camara.

Francis Jeffers came close on several occasions for Blackburn in the first half at Sheffield United, however the former Everton and Arsenal striker missed out.

That match remained deadlocked, as did Bolton’s home game against Watford, in which the Trotters gave a debut to new £8million signing Nicolas Anelka.

In the lunchtime kick-off, Andrew Johnson scored twice in his first Merseyside derby appearance as Everton beat Liverpool 3-0 at Goodison Park.

First-half goals from Tim Cahill and Johnson put Everton in charge, and Johnson sealed the home side’s convincing win in the closing stages with a point-blank range header after a Jose Reina mistake.