ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO ended his personal goal misery and fired Chelsea clear at the top of the Premiership.

Shevchenko scored his first goal since August to put the Blues ahead in the 55th minute against Portsmouth.

Michael Ballack added a second, two minutes later, and Benjani Mwaruwari pulled one back for Pompey.

Ballack dragged a chance wide on the half-hour and James blocked another drive from Robben, who should have scored after being teedup perfectly by Lampard.

James gathered long-range efforts from Drogba and Michael Essien before the break, before Clattenberg disallowed a Chelsea goal after Shevchenko - clearly offside - beat James.

In the second half, Ashley Cole's left-wing cross found Lampard, who arrived late in the area unmarked, but his header flew a matter of inches wide.

James was eventually beaten in the 55th minute and Shevchenko finally had his first Chelsea goal at Stamford Bridge.

Robben was involved again, working into space on the left to pick up a pass from Lampard. The Dutch winger's low cross was into the path of Shevchenko and his shot clipped Campbell's heel as it went into the corner of the net.

Shevchenko's relief was enormous and he sprinted to celebrate with the Chelsea fans behind the goal. When he emerged from the mob, referee Clattenburg booked him.

Chelsea were two ahead two minutes later when Ballack scored his first Premiership goal.

Robben launched a long ball deep into the Pompey area and Drogba headed it back into the centre. Ballack coasted in front of Linvoy Primus and tucked a simple header past James.

Like Shevchenko, the German enjoyed his goal with the Chelsea fans and, like Shevchenko, he was booked by Clattenburg.

Two minutes later and Chelsea had another goal disallowed.

James was unable to hold Lampard's stinging 25-yard shot and Drogba lashed the rebound into the net but the assistant's flag was up, and replays proved Drogba was half a yard offside when Lampard shot.

Portsmouth pulled a goal back 21 minutes from time, through Benjani.

Carvalho blocked from substitute Andy Cole but Taylor prevented the Blues from clearing the ball, and Benjani pounced to drive past Hilario from eight yards.