Hat-trick man Drogba fires Chelsea level with Man Utd at the top

Nov 11, 2006, 18:33 GMT

London - Didier Drogba scored his second hat-trick of the season as Chelsea hammered Watford 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to move level on points with Manchester United at the top of the English Premiership.

Watford kept it tight for almost half an hour before the Ivory Coast striker opened the scoring and then made it 2-0 with his second seven minutes before the break. Andriy Shevchenko made it 3-0 (52) and Drogba completed his hat-trick on 68 minutes.

The result moved Chelsea on to 28 points - though Manchester United can regain the lead if they avoid defeat at Blackburn Rovers later on Saturday - and also made Jose Mourinho's side only the second British club ever to reach 50 successive home games without defeat in the top flight.

Everton were beaten 1-0 at home by Aston Villa thanks to Chris Sutton's first goal for his new side as Martin O'Neill's side moved above Bolton Wanderers into third.

Bolton let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Sheffield United while Portsmouth came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Fulham.

Wigan continue to impress after a 3-2 victory over Charlton Athletic, dropping Iain Dowie's side to the foot of the table after Newcastle United earned a point with a 0-0 draw at Manchester City.

And substitute Massimo Maccarone scored the only goal of the game on 75 minutes as Middlesbrough beat West Ham United 1-0.