English Premier League: Championship hopes all but end for Blues

Fernando Torres drew another blank as Chelsea's slim hopes of muscling back in on the Barclays Premier League title race were effectively ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stoke.

Torres was left on the bench by boss Carlo Ancelotti and despite being brought on for the final half-hour, he failed to make an impact.

The visitors were stunned after just eight minutes when Jonathan Walters blasted the opener past Petr Cech and, despite Didier Drogba's 33rd-minute equaliser, they flattered to deceive.

Roy Hodgson exacted delicious revenge over the side that sacked him three months ago as West Bromwich Albion gave their survival hopes a massive boost with a 2-1 win over Liverpool.

Martin Skrtel headed the visitors into the lead five minutes into the second half, but Baggies captain Chris Brunt equalised with a 62nd-minute penalty after Sotirios Kyrgiakos pulled down Peter Odemwingie. Brunt grabbed the winner two minutes from time with his second spot-kick after Odemwingie had fallen under the challenge of Pepe Reina.

Aston Villa and Everton drew 2-2 at Goodison, the home side's goals coming from Leon Osman and Leighton Baines' late penalty, with Darren Bent notching a double for Villa, while Tottenham failed to close in on a Champions League place after Harry Redknapp's below-par side were held to a goalless draw at Wigan.

Kevin Phillips scored his first Premier League goal in a year and Craig Gardner added a second as Birmingham eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 home win over Bolton, while dismal defending cost Wolves dear as they slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle.