BLACKBURN Rovers moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League after a crucial 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Ewood Park yesterday.
Rovers were rocked in the second minute when Mark Stein, one of Chelsea's goal heroes in the midweek European Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final victory over Bruges, headed the Londoners into a shock lead.
But Rovers were soon level as Shearer pounced for his 100th league goal and then Tim Sherwood put the home side ahead before the break.
Second-placed Manchester United face a difficult task to close the gap on Rovers when they face Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.
Coventry's recent impressive run came to a halt at Elland Road where Anthony Yeboah scored twice in Leeds' 3-0 triumph to take his goal tally to eight in six games. Rod Wallace hit Leeds' other goal.
At the other end of the table, Southampton slipped deeper into the relegation mire after a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest with Bryan Roy (2) and Stan Collymore on target.
