LONDON (AP):
CHELSEA WERE stunned 3-0 by struggling Middlesbrough in the English Premier League yesterday to record Jose Mourinho's heaviest loss as Blues manager.
Second-placed Manchester United trimmed the Blues' lead to 12 points by winning 3-1 at Portsmouth.
Goals by Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback, England winger Stewart Downing and Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu gave 'Boro beaten 4-0 at home by Aston Villa last week the upset of the season.
'A BAD DAY'
"When you lose, it is always a bad day, especially when you don't lose a lot of times," Mourinho said. "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."
Steve McClaren's 'Boro have also beaten Manchester United and Arsenal at home and, after their latest victory, climbed one place to 16th, a healthy eight points above the relegation zone.
"We defended very well and hit them on the break. We always looked dangerous," McClaren said.
UNITED WIN
Chelsea are still a runaway league leaders, but Manchester United closed the gap with victory over next-to-last Portsmouth.
Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Red Devils ahead in the 18th minute at Portsmouth's Fratton Park and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice before half-time.
United sent on Tim Howard for injured goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar for the second half and the American had a shaky time, Matt Taylor replying for Pompey with three minutes to go.
Sami Hyypia scored the only goal as Liverpool ended a run of three losses and a draw by winning 1-0 at Wigan.
