Six teams haunted by relegation

Portsmouth, deducted nine points for going into administration, were relegated last Saturday. Had Pompey not been penalised, they would have been fighting for dear life with six other strugglers in the Premier League.

This has been underlined by the way Portsmouth played in the FA Cup semi-final where they ousted Tottenham after extra time at Wembley Stadium last week.

Six teams are in fight for their lives, two of which will join Pompey and fed to the Championship computer fixtures come June.

In midweek, Wigan earned a 0-0 draw at home to Portsmouth and Bolton lost 0-1 at Chelsea.

The relegation strugglers are now starting to feel the heat, knowing how much it will cost them to lose their status in the top flight in terms of money.

In two months' time, the Premier League clubs will decide whether to extend parachute money for demoted clubs from two years to four.

At the top of the classification, Chelsea have now opened a four-point advantage on Manchester United after their win over Bolton at Stamford Bridge.

This evening the Blues, with four matches to go, play at Tottenham in a London derby. This will be a nail-biting affair as the Spurs would want to make up for the FA Cup semi-final loss to Portsmouth.

This was highlighted with their fine performance against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Alex Ferguson remarked that the title was not in their hands but for Chelsea to lose after Man. United's away draw at Blackburn.

Ferguson's mistake to play 'injured' Wayne Rooney against Bayern Munich came back to haunt him at Blackburn where United misfired badly. But the Scot is never humble enough to admit his error.

This afternoon, United have a hard nut to crack in the derby against City at Eastlands but the Red Devils are bound to play better as they did in the past against bigger teams. City are close to that fourth place and a passport to the Champions League, especially if they win this one.

Arsenal appear to be out of the reckoning for the championship following their 1-2 upset to Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The Gunners will continue their fight and despite the absences they should earn all the points at lowly Wigan tomorrow.