Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

EPL PHOTOS: Chelsea inch towards title with gritty United win

Last updated on: April 19, 2015 00:22 IST

Chelsea players

Chelsea's players celebrate their victory against Manchester United. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard struck late in the first half to secure a 1-0 home win over Manchester United and open a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.

Belgium international Hazard found a neat finish in the 38th minute to grab his 18th goal in all competitions this season after Chelsea spent much of the opening period on the back foot.

United continued to dictate possession after the break but the hosts defended stoically and stretched their advantage over second-placed Arsenal, who they visit next weekend.

United are a further point back in third, four clear of rivals Manchester City who host West Ham United on Sunday.

Andy King and Robert Huth of Leicester City celebrate

Andy King and Robert Huth of Leicester City celebrate victory. Photograph: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Leicester City claimed a third successive Premier League victory and boosted their relegation great escape act after a 2-0 home win against Swansea City on Saturday.

Leicester's survival hopes have looked bleak for most of the season and they have been bottom since November but they faced Swansea full of confidence after back-to-back league victories.

Leonardo Ulloa, who was called into the starting lineup just before kick off after David Nugent was injured in the warm-up, set Leicester on their way before Andy King added a second late on.

Nigel Pearson's side move up to 18th, level on 28 points from 32 matches with Hull City, who are outside the drop zone only on goal difference.

"To get three wins on trot in this division is very hard and doubly so considering the position we are in," Pearson told the BBC.

"We are delighted. Our fate is still in our hands which is how we want to keep it for as long as possible."

Kevin Mirallas of Everton scores

Kevin Mirallas of Everton scores the opening goal. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Struggling 10-man Burnley had no such luck in their bid for Premier League survival as they sunk to the bottom of the pile on 26 points from 33 games after a 1-0 defeat at 12th-placed Everton.

Everton's Ross Barkley missed an early penalty but Kevin Mirallas made amends before Burnley's Ashley Barnes was sent off for a second bookable offence at the end of the first half.

Queens Park Rangers, who like Hull do not play this weekend because of the FA Cup semi-finals, are second-bottom and level on points and number of games with Burnley.

Charlie Adam of Stoke City celebrates

Charlie Adam of Stoke City celebrates scoring his team's second goal with team-mate Marko Arnautovic. Photograph: Dave Thompson/Getty Images

Stoke City claimed their first victory in five matches and moved up to ninth after coming from behind to beat sixth-placed Southampton 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium, hurting the visitors' hopes of Champions League football.

Tony Pulis's return to Crystal Palace as West Bromwich Albion manager was a happy one as his side won 2-0 and ended a run of three straight defeats.

Goals from James Morrison and Craig Gardner at Selhurst Park look to have guaranteed West Brom's Premier League status as they are 13th with 36 points. Palace remain 11th with 42 points from 33 matches.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.