Andriy Shevchenko’s continued improvement continued when he helped Chelsea to a narrow win at Charlton when Frank Lampard’s first-half strike ensured Chelsea closed the gap on Manchester United to three points.

Lampard scored with a long-range strike and was later denied by Scott Carson, who also saved from Didier Drogba and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Charlton’s two best chances fell to Amady Faye, who hit the target each time but could not beat Petr Cech.

The victory was Chelsea’s fourth in succession in all competitions - and with John Terry returning from injury as a late substitute, the winter blip seems well and truly over.

Chelsea started superbly - Shevchenko forced a good save with a vicious strike from a tight angle and Ballack missed the target with a header before Lampard struck with 18 minutes gone.

But Charlton rallied late on and Chelsea were hanging on at the end as the home team threw everything forward.

From BBC Sport