CHELSEA’S hopes of winning the Premier League took a huge dent at Stamford Bridge on Monday when an injury time goal from Emile Heskey gave the relegation-threatened visitors a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

His strike cancelled out a 55th minute goal from Michael Essien that had given Chelsea the lead.

Although Manchester United was not playing, the team was the big winner on the night as Heskey’s goal left Chelsea five points behind Alex Ferguson’s side with only four matches to play.

Manchester United has 80 points, Chelsea has 75, with Arsenal, whose manager Arsene Wenger has conceded his side is out of contention, in third place on 71 points after losing at United on Sunday.

“We are still in the title race,” Chelsea manager Avram Grant. “It is more difficult now but we will still fight away.

“In the second half we played wonderful. It was one of our best performances and we had a lot of chances. But this is football. If you don’t score the second one and don’t pay attention this is what happens.

“Our problem this year is we don’t use the chances. I don’t know why, maybe it is a lack of concentration.”

Essien scored for Chelsea in the 55th minute. Joe Cole sent in a shot that Nicolas Anelka passed into the path of Essien, who beat Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland with a rising drive.

Essien was a late addition to the lineup, replacing Frank Lampard who withdrew due to illness.

(SD-Agencies)