United, Arsenal injuries hand Chelsea title boost

Blues looking to take advantage of foes' woes

LONDON - Chelsea may come to regard their exit from the Champions League as a blessing in disguise.

Unlike the Londoners, Arsenal and Manchester United remain in the hunt for European football's biggest prize. But their participation in this week's quarterfinal first legs came at a price with the two clubs' respective talismen, Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney, facing extended injury lay-offs.