Chelsea edged past London rival Arsenal to go top of the English premier league Tuesday despite being held 0-0 at Birmingham City.

Olivier Tebily (L) of Birmingham City tries to clear the ball as Chelsea's Hernan Crespo (R) closes in during the Premiership match at St. Andrews in Birmingham.[AFP]

Claudio Ranieri's unbeaten Chelsea side had arrived at St. Andrews with a game in hand and needing just a draw to lead the table on goal difference.

It achieved that in a dour encounter at St. Andrews to take it to 20 points from eight games, with a goal difference of 11 compared to Arsenal's 10.

Manchester United is one point back, also from eight games, with Birmingham moving past Fulham into fourth on 15.

Chelsea will have gained confidence for its next match at Arsenal Saturday in what has become a top-of-the-table clash.

"It will be a very exciting match. For us it's important to continue this way. I have seen a good performance (by Chelsea) so far," manager Claudio Ranieri told Sky Sports.

His opposite number Steve Bruce added: "It was a fantastic effort by us against a really good Chelsea team. They have earned their point tonight."

Neither goalkeeper was really tested in the first half on Tuesday night although Maik Taylor was the busier as Chelsea, starting with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Hernan Crespo up front, dominated possession.

Birmingham, however, unbeaten at home this season, remained solid at the back while leaving Christophe Dugarry as a lone threat up front.

Taylor saved it in 64th minute when he tipped a Hasselbaink shot around the post following a through ball from Frank Lampard. The keeper then denied the England midfielder with 11 minutes remaining by tipping his shot over the bar.

"When you're as determined as we were in the second half sooner or later you'll find a goal," said Ranieiri. "(Hasselbaink and Crespo) tried to do something but against three, four, five players the space was very small."

Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell, on loan at Birmingham, was not cleared to play in Tuesday's game by the London club.

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