Middlesbrough upsets Chelsea 3-0
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-12 10:47

LONDON - Fabio Rochemback, Steward Downing and Aiyegbeni Yakabu scored goals to lead Middlesbrough to a 3-0 upset over Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

It was the Blues' biggest defeat since coach Jose Mourinho, who led Chelsea to its first league title in 50 years last season, arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2004.

"When you lose, it is always a bad day, especially when you don't lose a lot of times," said Mourinho, who won the Champions League and UEFA Cup with his former club FC Porto as well as three domestic titles. "In my time at Chelsea, this is the third defeat in the Premiership and you can say it was the worst.

"We lost last season to Manchester City 1-0 and we didn't deserve it. We lost this season at Manchester United 1-0 and we didn't deserve it. We lost today 3-0 — we deserved it."

Manchester United trimmed Chelsea's lead to 12 points by winning 3-1 at Portsmouth. Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Red Devils ahead in the 18th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice before halftime.

United sent on Tim Howard for injured goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar for the second half and the American allowed a goal by Matt Taylor with 3 minutes to go.

Third place Liverpool won 1-0 at Wigan thanks to a goal by centerback Sami Hyypia, and Arsenal salvaged a 1-1 tie with Bolton thanks to an equalizer in the third minute of injury time by Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva.

In other matches, Fulham beat West Bromwich Albion 6-1 with Heidar Helguson and Collins John scoring two goals each; Everton edged Blackburn 1-0 on James Beattie's first half goal; and Newcastle won 2-1 at Aston Villa for its second victory in a row since Graeme Souness was