Chelsea back in frame for top four while Duffy suffers defeat at Everton
CHELSEA kept their hopes of Champions League qualification alive with a 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace. Antonio Conte’s side moved to within two points of fourth place – before Tottenham’s match against Bournemouth today – courtesy of goals from Willian and a Martin Kelly own goal.
The Brazilian put the champions ahead on 25 minutes after his shot nicked Kelly on its way past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and for the second goal, Kelly was again involved.
This time, his goalline clearance ricocheted off Hennessey before rebounding off the defender and into the net.
Former Stamford Bridge defender Patrick van Aanholt gave Palace late hope of a revival with an injury-time effort after Eden Hazard had a goal ruled out.
Willian admitted afterwards: ‘In games like that, you have to kill the game. Two-nil is dangerous, we should have scored more but didn’t.’
Elsewhere, Shane Duffy admitted he had mixed feelings on his return to Goodison Park to face Everton with Brighton. The Toffees came out on top, 2-0, and the Ireland defender took to social media after his side’s defeat.
‘Disappointing performance for us today. Not like us but we have big game next weekend to get ready for. Great feeling to be back at Goodison but gutted about the result.’
Gaetan Bong’s own goal on the hour mark gave Everton the lead before Cenk Tosun doubled their advantage. Anthony Knockaert was sent off for Brighton with 10 minutes left after a reckless tackle on Leighton Baines, before Wayne Rooney saw his penalty saved by Mathew Ryan.
Brighton’s defeat combined with Newcastle’s impressive win over belegaured Southampton means Rafael Benitez’s side are just four points off the top 10.
On-loan Kenedy fired a double with Matt Richie adding a third.
Meanwhile, Alan Pardew admits West Brom’s owners may want to sack him as he seeks showdown talks but insists he will not quit.
The Baggies went down heavily at home to Leicester to leave them eight points from the safety line and rooted to the bottom of the Premier League with eight games left.
It was a seventh straight defeat in all competitions — Albion’s worst run in 15 years — and Pardew has won just once in 16 top-flight games.
They are staring at relegation following a second-half no-show where Riyad Mahrez, Kelechi Iheanacho and Vicente Iborra scored after Jamie Vardy’s stunning first-half volley.
The Baggies had taken an early lead through Salomon Rondon’s close-range finish.
Pardew, whose position remains fluid, said: ‘Before you even ask me the question, will I speak to those upstairs? Yes I will, of course I will, because it’s getting difficult.
‘My pride on the sidelines is such that I don’t want to stand and watch that last 15, 20 minutes. My teams are better than that and I want my team here to be better than that.
In the day’s other match, Huddersfield Town played out a goalless draw with 10-man Swansea after Jordan Ayew saw red after just 11 minutes.