Leaders Chelsea had to be content with a Boxing Day point at Birmingham after fortuitously seeing Christian Benitez's first-half effort ruled out for offside in their goalless draw.
While Chelsea enjoyed the better chances at St Andrew's it was Birmingham who had the ball in the net, Benitez poking it over the line and apparently being played onside by an injured Didier Drogba only to see the flag raised against him.
The visitors, defending a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester United, had excellent chances to win it themselves as Branislav Ivanovic, Daniel Sturridge, Alex and Florent Malouda all went close. Malouda, meanwhile, was dismissed in the closing stages after receiving a second caution.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
