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Rediff.com  » Sports » EPL PHOTOS: Leicester back on top after draw; Chelsea win thriller

EPL PHOTOS: Leicester back on top after draw; Chelsea win thriller

January 17, 2016 10:58 IST
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Photos from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday

Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Aston Villa during their Barclays Premier League match at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday

IMAGE: Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Aston Villa during their Barclays Premier League match at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Leicester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at bottom club Aston Villa on Saturday while misfiring champions Chelsea pulled off a great escape in a six-goal thriller with Everton.

With Manchester City thrashing Crystal Palace 4-0 to go second on goal difference on the same points as Arsenal, Leicester had a golden opportunity to pull three points clear in the late game but had to settle for one after a missed penalty.

Arsenal, the leaders before the weekend on 43 points, can go back in front after their match at StokeCity on Sunday.

Japan striker Shinji Okazaki put unsung Leicester, who have defied all the odds this season and are on 44 points, ahead in the 28th minute but Rudy Gestede grabbed a 76th-minute equaliser for rejuvenated Villa.

Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori celebrates with fans after scoring the third goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

IMAGE: Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori celebrates with fans after scoring the third goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth Livepic/Reuters

In an astonishing game at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea drew 3-3 after captain John Terry atoned for an own goal with a 98th-minute equaliser that even home manager Guus Hiddink said was offside.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez described it as a "diabolical" decision by match officials and questioned the amount of time added.

"It's heartbreaking for us, a big, big error," said the Spaniard.

All the goals came in the second half, with Chelsea battling back from 2-0 down before substitute Ramiro Funes Mori put Everton back in front as the game entered stoppage time.

Chelsea's John Terry scores an own goal and the first for Everton

IMAGE: Chelsea's John Terry scores an own goal and the first for Everton. Photograph: John Sibley Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

Hiddink, whose unbeaten record in his second stint as interim boss at Chelsea remained intact, did not try to argue about the final goal.

"I like always to give a fair comment on the positive side and negative side," the Dutchman said. "I have watched it and I can agree (it was offside).

"In the last minutes we sent our two central defenders up top and it was all or nothing and at the end it paid off. I think the team with their efforts deserved it."

Crystal Palace's Joel Ward lies on the turf dejected as keeper Wayne Hennessey looks on after Manchester City's David Silva scored his team's fourth goal at Etihad Stadium

IMAGE: Crystal Palace's Joel Ward lies on the turf dejected as keeper Wayne Hennessey looks on after Manchester City's David Silva scored his team's fourth goal at Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Sergio Aguero, last season's top league scorer, was twice on the mark in ManchesterCity's 4-0 home win.

The Argentine striker scored in the 41st minute after Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had failed to prevent Fabian Delph's long-range shot squirming into the next in the 22nd.

Aguero doubled his tally in the 68th minute and set up David Silva for a late fourth.

Fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur are five points off the lead following a crushing 4-1 defeat of struggling Sunderland in the lunchtime match at White Hart Lane.

Danish international Christian Eriksen struck either side of halftime after Sunderland, mired in the relegation zone, had gone in front early through Patrick van Aanholt.

West Bromwich Albion's Stephane Sessegnon and Southampton's Ryan Bertrand compete for the ball during their match at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton

IMAGE: West Bromwich Albion's Stephane Sessegnon and Southampton's Ryan Bertrand compete for the ball during their match at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Fifth-placed West Ham United's push for Europe faltered with a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.

Newcastle's victory lifted them out of the bottom three while troubled SwanseaCity, who entertain Watford on Monday, dropped to 18th, a point ahead of Sunderland.

The Magpies' new 12 million pounds ($17.1 million) signing Jonjo Shelvey enjoyed a fine debut, contributing to both goals.

"In the second half we improved a lot. In the end we could have nicked a point when we had a great chance to equalise but, overall, they deserved to beat us," said Hammers manager Slaven Bilic.

On a lively winter's afternoon for south-coast sides, Southampton beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 to land a third successive home win and Bournemouth overcame NorwichCity by the same scoreline.

Liverpool, who are ninth, and Louis van Gaal's sixth-placed Manchester United clash at Anfield on Sunday.

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Source: REUTERS
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