Chelsea stay on top of EPL with 2-0 win over West Ham United; Man City stay close on their heels with 3-1 victory at West Brom
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian fails to keep out Diego Costa's shot to give Chelsea a two-goal lead at London's Stamford Bridge yesterday. Pic/Getty Images.
London: Yaya Toure shrugged off John Terry’s claim the title-race pressure is all on Manchester City by leading Manuel Pellegrini’s men to a 3-1 victory at West Brom.
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West Ham goalkeeper Adrian fails to keep out Diego Costa's shot to give Chelsea a two-goal lead at London's Stamford Bridge yesterday. Pic/Getty Images.
Chelsea captain Terry said “it’s going to be tough” for his side’s rivals to stay close to the pacesetters after the Blues took a temporary six-point Premier League lead with a 2-0 victory over West Ham. Terry’s header and Diego Costa’s 13th goal of the season had earlier extended Chelsea’s 100 per cent Premier League record at Stamford Bridge to nine games in the day’s lunchtime kick-off.
Terry also said Chelsea’s early Boxing Day kick-off and ninth consecutive Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge heaped the pressure on second-placed City.
Man City's Fernando (second from left) scores from an overhead kick against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns yesterday. Pic/AFP.
Toure and company had other ideas however, the Ivorian netting a penalty to send City 2-0 up in just 13 minutes at The Hawthorns following Fernando’s opener.
David Silva added City’s third goal in the first half, before the visitors shut up shop to coast home after the turnaround despite Brown Ideye netting for West Brom late on. The Etihad Stadium side stretched their winning run to nine games in all competitions, and seven in the EPL. While City were quick to launch a riposte to the Blues’ comfortable victory, their neighbours Manchester United eased past Newcastle 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney (right) and Radamel Falcao celebrate Man United's opening goal against Newcastle United at Old Trafford yesterday. Pic/AFP.
Wayne Rooney scored twice and set up Robin van Persie as Louis van Gaal’s side cemented third place in the table, while Newcastle slipped to their fourth-straight defeat in all competitions. Papiss Cisse claimed a consolation strike from the penalty spot in the dying stages, but by then the hosts were already out of sight.
Saints stay fourth
Southampton leapfrogged West Ham into fourth place with an assured 3-1 victory over struggling Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Sadio Mane notched his first goal in eight Premier League games before laying on a second for Ryan Bertrand.
James Ward-Prowse then teed up Toby Alderweireld to nod Southampton’s third, the Belgium defender having hit the bar in the first half. Scott Dann headed a late goal but it was not enough to prevent Palace’s dismal run extended to just one win in 12 in all competitions, with Neil Warnock’s men slipping into the relegation zone as a result.
Christian Eriksen’s free-kick helped Tottenham survive a scare at Leicester as they returned from the King Power Stadium with a 2-1 win.
Harry Kane handed Spurs the lead in the first minute, but Leonardo Ulloa’s second goal in four games drew Leicester level. Denmark midfielder Eriksen blasted Spurs to victory however.
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