TERRY ENDS TROUBLED DAY WITH CHELSEA WINNER

Jakarta Forum - London, Jan 31. Chelsea captain John Terry put the controversy over his private life to one side by scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory at Burnley as his side went four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Terry, whose position as England captain was called into question after newspapers published details of his alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Blues team-mate Wayne Bridge, scored eight minutes from time on Saturday when he headed in a corner for only his second goal this season.

"It was a very difficult game," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told ESPN Turning to Terry, who did not celebrate his goal, the Italian added: "He`s a fantastic player. Every game, he plays very well.

"He`s an important player for us. All of Chelsea support him."

Nicolas Anelka had given Chelsea a 27th-minute lead at Turf Moor when the France striker turned in Florent Malouda`s cross while, seven minutes later, Terry was booked for a clumsy challenge on Robbie Blake.

Relegation candidates Burnley levelled in the 50th minute when a ball over the top of Alex found Steven Fletcher who beat the defender before shooting past Petr Cech.

Chelsea`s victory means they will still be top of the table regardless of the result of Sunday`s clash between title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Earlier, Tottenham stayed fourth with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham.

But Spurs` rivals for a place in next season`s Champions League, Liverpool and Aston Villa, both won to keep up the pressure.

Liverpool beat Bolton 2-0 to stay a point adrift of Spurs with Villa, who have a game in hand, two points behind after defeating Fulham by the same scoreline in a match where Gabriel Agbonlahor scored both goals.

At the other end of the table, second from bottom Hull failed to climb out of the relegation zone after a 2-2 draw with Wolves.

Everton made it four league wins from five with a 1-0 victory away to Wigan while Blackburn Rovers and West Ham shared the points in a goalless draw.

Spurs` Jermain Defoe broke the deadlock at St Andrews when, after a Peter Crouch knockdown, he blasted the ball past Joe Hart with 21 minutes left.

But Birmingham rescued a point through Liam Ridgewell`s 90th minute equaliser.

At Anfield, Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool ahead eight minutes before half-time.

Liverpool went 2-0 up when Emiliano Insua`s 25-yard shot took a huge deflection off Bolton`s Kevin Davies for a 70th minute own-goal.

"I am pleased with the result and the second half but not too happy with the first half - but at the end of the day we needed to win and we won," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

Agbonlahor put Villa in front five minutes before half-time at Craven Cottage when he headed a Stiliyan Petrov cross past Fulham`s Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

And there was still time for Agbonlahor to make it 2-0 ahead of the interval when, in the 44th minute, he curled a shot past Schwarzer from 15 yards.

At the KC Stadium, former Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired Hull into an 11th minute lead with a 20-yard shot.

But Wolves were level four minutes after half-time after a comical own-goal where Hull`s Anthony Gardner sliced an unthreatening Ronald Zubar cross over the head of goalkeepeer Boaz Myhill.

However, minutes later Hull were back in front when Stephen Hunt scored from the penalty spot after Zubar jumped into Jozy Altidore only for Matthew Jarvis to draw Wolves level in the 67th minute.

Tim Cahill was once again Everton`s star as the Australia midfielder headed in his sixth goal of the season six minutes from time away to Wigan.

Sunday`s other top-flight match sees Manchester City looking to bounce back from their League Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United at home to bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth.

Sunderland and Stoke meet on Monday.

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