Blues strong at pole, Spurs red hot

Eden Hazard fired Premier League leaders Chelsea to a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester City, but Tottenham are hot on their heels after a sensational fightback in their 3-1 victory at Swansea on Wednesday.

Chelsea remain seven points clear of second placed Tottenham with eight games to play, yet with just minutes left on a dramatic evening it seemed the Blues would have a much greater lead.

Rocked by Saturday’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side took only 10 minutes to take the lead through Hazard’s 12th goal of the season.

Hazard’s effort deflected off Vincent Kompany and beat Willy Caballero, whose weak attempted save drew a frustrated look from City boss Pep Guardiola as he contemplated the latest in a growing list of gaffes from his goalkeepers this season.

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was guilty of an even worse blunder, spilling David Silva’s shot to Sergio Aguero, who tapped in City’s 26th minute equaliser.

Conte’s team were back in front after 35 minutes when Fernandinho conceded a penalty with a foul on Pedro.

Hazard’s spot-kick was saved by Caballero, but the Belgian recovered quickly to finish off the rebound.

Kompany, back in the line-up for the first time since November, hit the crossbar with a second half header, but fourth placed City crashed to their first defeat in nine games, while Chelsea are still in pole position for the title.

“Another step, a big step, against a great team,” Conte said. “We must think that Tottenham could win all their games. We are playing a great season but to win the title there is a long way to go.”

Guardiola added: “We created enough to score goals. It’s our problem. In the boxes we are not good enough.”

At the Liberty Stadium, Tottenham fell behind in the 11th minute when Wayne Routledge turned in Jordan Ayew’s cross for Swansea. But Tottenham staged an incredible finale as England midfielder Dele Alli equalised with an 88th minute