Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates after scoring against Stoke City during their English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke, England, Saturday Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
January 12, 2013 - 9:54 AM
LONDON - Chelsea leapfrogged Tottenham into third place in the Premier League on Saturday, benefiting from two own goals by the same player to thrash Stoke 4-0 and dismantle English football's only remaining unbeaten home record.
Spurs' lacklustre 0-0 draw at last-place Queens Park Rangers gave the European champions an opportunity to become the nearest challengers to the two Manchester clubs and they didn't waste it.
Stoke forward Jonathan Walters twice headed the ball into his own net, in the 45th and 62nd minutes, before Frank Lampard converted a penalty and Eden Hazard sealed victory with a thumping 30-yard strike.
Reading scored three times in the final eight minutes to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2, ensuring QPR stayed bottom of the standings. Aston Villa's plight worsened with a 1-0 home loss to Southampton.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013