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EPL PHOTOS: Gloom returns for Manchester Utd; Big win for Chelsea

Last updated on: February 14, 2016 09:01 IST

De Gea own goal hands Sunderland vital victory

David de Gea

IMAGE: Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin , left, reacts after Sunderland's second goal during the Premier League match. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

David de Gea's late own goal earned Sunderland a 2-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday and a vital three points in their bid for Premier League survival.

Tunisian Wahbi Khazri gave the hosts the lead after three minutes when his wide free kick from 30 metres eluded everyone on its way to the far corner of the net.

Anthony Martial grabbed the equaliser six minutes before halftime, the young French striker dinking the ball in from a tight angle after Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone had saved Juan Mata's firm shot.

De Gea made fine saves to deny Dame N'Doye and Lamine Kone but the Spanish keeper failed to deal with Kone's powerful header eight minutes from time, deflecting the ball over the line to leave United six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

United have 41 points and look destined for a battle for a Europa League place with Southampton and West Ham who have 40.

'It will be difficult for us to make the top four'

Lamine Kone

IMAGE: Sunderland’s Lamine Kone attempts a bicycle kick. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

"Today was very similar to the way the Manchester City game went but this time we got what we deserved from the chances we created," Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce told BT Sport, referring to his team's 1-0 defeat by Manuel Pellegrini's men.

"I thought we might be punished for not taking them and wondered whether it was going to go our way but it ended up being an unbelievable win for us."

United captain Wayne Rooney said his team had not done enough to win the match and were now struggling to qualify for next season's Champions League.

"We know it wasn't good enough today," Rooney said. "We weren't aggressive enough and it's very disappointing.

"We did not win enough second balls and did not defend set-pieces properly and it has cost us," the England striker added.

"It will be difficult for us to make the top four now, we know that."

Chelsea crush Newcastle

IMAGE: Chelsea’s Pedro scores his team's fourth goal past Robert Elliot of Newcastle United during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Newcastle were thumped 5-1 at Chelsea in the late kick-off as the champions produced their best performance of a poor league season to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 since Guus Hiddink replaced sacked Jose Mourinho.

Pedro scored twice for Chelsea, while Diego Costa, Willian and Bertrand Traore also punished a wide-open Newcastle defence to leave the north east club back in the bottom three on goal difference below Norwich who drew 2-2 with West Ham United.

Gritty West Brom dig deep to win at Everton

Salomon Rondon

IMAGE: West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon, second right, scores his team's first goal against Everton. Photograph: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion produced a dogged defensive performance after grabbing an early goal to snatch a 1-0 win at Everton.

West Brom forward Salomon Rondon helped defender Jonas Olsson's looping header over the line following a corner after nine minutes.

Everton dominated possession for the rest of the match but West Brom defended with great discipline to stay well clear of the relegation zone.

Swansea suffer first defeat under Guidolin

Fraser Forster

IMAGE: Southampton’s Fraser Forster, first right, is congratulated by team mate James Ward-Prowse after their 1-0 win against Swansea. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Swansea suffered their first loss under new coach Francesco Guidolin to stay mired in relegation trouble after a tepid display against Southampton at the Liberty Stadium.

The first half was devoid of excitement and the second was equally dull until the visitors took the lead when Shane Long turned in James Ward-Prowse's cross with 20 minutes left.

Swansea had a loud appeal for a penalty turned down when Alberto Paloschi tumbled in the area.

Southampton remained relatively untroubled as they completed a double over Swansea and extended their unbeaten league run to six games to move into sixth place.

Deeney double earns Watford victory at Palace

Troy Deeney's late goal earned Watford a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in a lively Premier League game at Selhurst Park.

Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak fouled Deeney in the area and the Watford striker calmly converted the resulting penalty after 15 minutes.

Watford had chances to extend their lead but Emmanuel Adebayor headed in an equaliser on the stroke of halftime, the Togo striker's first goal for his new club.

Adebayor almost scored again with another strong header but it was well saved by Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes and Deeney sealed the points for the visitors with a firm drive eight minutes from time.

Norwich denied vital win by West Ham fightback

Relegation-haunted Norwich capitulated late on after looking poised for a first league win in six attempts.

After five successive defeats, second-half goals from Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan put them in control against the Hammers before the visitors struck twice in the space of two minutes.

Brady broke the deadlock after 54 minutes with a curling shot that bounced over the line off the crossbar and Hoolahan doubled the lead 10 minutes later, converting from close range after Steven Naismith's shot deflected into his path.

West Ham, who could have gone above Manchester United into fifth with a victory, roused themselves and Dimitri Payet halved the deficit before Mark Noble smashed in an equaliser.

Norwich then had to hang on desperately for a point that failed to lift them out of the bottom three.

Stoke end poor run with victory at Bournemouth

Stoke City ended a poor recent run with a clinical 3-1 victory at Bournemouth.

French midfielder Giannelli Imbula fired Stoke ahead after nine minutes with a rasping 25-metre volley, his first goal for the club since his big-money arrival on transfer deadline day.

Ibrahim Afellay doubled the lead with a neat finish from a cross by Jonathan Walters and substitute Joselu headed in moments after coming on to confirm Stoke's first win in five league games.

Matt Ritchie scored a consolation for Bournemouth with a crisp strike.

Source: REUTERS
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