Socceroo Scott Chipperfield helped FC Basel close to within four points of Swiss leaders Young Boys with the opening goal in a 4-1 win over Neuchatel Xamax overnight.The 33-year-old Australian warmed up for the Socceroos' Asian Cup qualifier in Oman next weekend in ideal fashion, scoring his fifth goal of the season after 40 minutes.
Valentin Stocker drove forward before passing to Chipperfield who collected the ball well and slid in a tidy shot for the opener.
After the break, Neuchatel (who would have leapfrogged FCB into second with a victory here) replied courtesy of a Brown Ideye header from a corner on 55 minutes.
But Basel struck almost immediately after winning a penalty for handball, with Alexander Frei scoring from the spot.
Both sides were reduced to ten men before Xherdan Shaqiri scored Basel's third with Marco Streller hitting a fourth after some exceptional skill.
The result sees Young Boys, who lost 3-1 at FC Sion on Sunday, lose their substantial buffer on Basel who are within four points of the Bern club whilst FCB have opened up a five-point gap on third-placed Xamax.
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