Sport 21-04-2005 Wenger Salutes Worthy Champions who: Arsene Wenger what: Concedes defeat in race for Premiership title after Arsenal draw 0-0 with Chelsea where: Stamford Bridge, LONDON when: Wednesday night snippet: Arsène Wenger hailed Chelsea as "worthy champions" after Arsenal held the Premiership leaders to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, moving four points clear of Manchester United in the chase for the second automatic Champions` League qualifying place and leaving Jose Mourinho`s side almost certain to finish the season on top. "They could clinch the title on Monday," calculates The Independent`s Nick Harris, "if they have beaten Fulham and Arsenal fail to beat Spurs at Highbury that night." Alternatively, "Chelsea could take the trophy by defeating Bolton Wanderers on April 30th," says The Guardian`s Kevin McCarra. "Such an outcome would stretch even Jose Mourinho`s capacity for self-satisfaction. He predicted many months ago that the Premiership would be clinched at the Reebok." "The fact they did not lose tonight makes them champions unless someone puts a bomb here, or there is a major accident," Wenger said after Wednesday`s game. "They are worthy champions. They have been remarkably consistent and that is the most difficult thing in top sport. You have to respect that and what they have achieved." The Mirror`s chief football writer, Martin Lipton, praises Arsenal for refusing to give up insisting that despite Chelsea`s "relentless consistency and team mentality", the Gunners "remain the team purists would pay to watch". In other mid-week football, relegation favourites the Canaries pulled off another giant-killing to cap off an awful week for the Magpies when Norwich City beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Carrow Road thanks to a late, late winner from Dean Ashton. Meanwhile, Spurs drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion at White hart Lane, struggling Portsmouth were beaten 1-2 by Liverpool at Fratton Park, Blackburn Rovers beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Ewood Park, Aston Villa and Charlton Athletic drew 0-0 at Villa Park, Birmingham City were flattened 3-0 on their trip to the City of Manchester Stadium and Everton overcame visiting Manchester United 1-0 at Goodison Park. On Tuesday night Bolton Wanderers drew 1-1 with Southampton and Fulham manager Chris Coleman claimed he was robbed of victory in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at the Riverside after referee Rob Styles gave a last-minute penalty when keeper Edwin van der Sar fouled Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. "It was a foul, but replays confirmed it was a yard outside the box," says The Mirror`s Simon Bird, "something Styles could not have seen because he was 30 yards behind play. His assistant only flagged late after he looked across at him." [... more]

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