The Premiership leader was in need of a United loss Monday in order to collect its second consecutive league title. Instead, Jose Mourinho's club learned of United's 2-1 victory just before taking the field.

The victory gives Chelsea an improved lead for the first place spot. After collecting its 28th Premiership victory, Chelsea has now climbed to a nine point lead with just three games remaining.

Frank Lampard opened the scoring with a shot from the left side of the box 20 yards out in the 28th minute.

Shortly after Chelsea scored its first, Everton was reduced to 10 men when Lee Carsley was sent off for a foul on Didier Drogba in the 47th minute.

Lampard helped with Chelsea's second goal of the day, sending a cross from the right side to Drogba, who headed in the goal from the center of the penalty area to double the score.

Chelsea scored its third in the 74th minute. Michael Essien collected the remnants of a Lampard shot and drilled a right-footed shot into the top right corner of the Everton net to make it 3-0.

Chelsea will play in the FA Cup semifinal Saturday against Liverpool before it will have its next chance to seal the title. The club faces United at the Bridge on Saturday, April 29.

Just before the start of the Chelsea-Everton match, Manchester United had just finished its 2-1 win over fourth place Tottenham.

Wayne Rooney scored both goals in the first half to give United the early lead.

United's win comes after a scoreless draw with last place Sunderland Friday.

Rooney's first came in just the 8th minute with a shot from close range that was drilled past goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Rooney added his second goal of the game and 16th in the Premiership in the 36th minute with a low shot into the back of the net.

The visitors managed to keep the lead at two goals until the 53rd, when Jermaine Jenas scored Tottenham's first off a corner kick.

But United would answer with a strong defensive stand throughout the remaining minutes of the second half to preserve the one goal lead.

The win is the club's 24th of the Premiership.

Tottenham is battling for the final Premiership spot in next season's Champions League tournament. The club has a four point lead over Arsenal for the fourth place.

Also on Monday, Charlton beat Portsmouth, 2-1; Middlesbrough handed West Ham a 2-0 shutout; and Newcastle scored four to hand Sunderland a 4-1 loss, its 26th of the Premiership.