Pedro gem moves Chelsea closer to title
Arsenal in danger of missing on CL spot Jamaicans win big ‘over’ USA
LONDON, April 30, (Agencies): Pedro’s sublime strike fired Chelsea a step closer to the Premier League title as the ruthless leaders swept to a 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday.
Antonio Conte’s side had to work hard to break down Everton’s stubborn resistence, but Pedro’s majestic second-half goal put Chelsea on course for a fourth win in their last five league games.
Late goals from Gary Cahill and Willian wrapped up the victory as the Blues maintained their four point lead at the top secondplaced Tottenham beat Arsenal 2-0.
Regardless of the result at White Hart Lane, Chelsea’s steely display ensured the destiny of the title remains in their hands with four matches left against Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Sunderland.
Chelsea need nine points to be assured of being crowned English champions in Conte’s first season in charge.
After defeats against Manchester United and Crystal Palace raised questions about their ability to get over the finish line, Chelsea have been revitalised by their FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham.
They beat Southampton in midweek to re-establish control of the title race and ending Everton’s eight-match winning streak at home was another significant step towards the title.
Restoring Pedro to the starting line-up in place of Cesc Fabregas, Conte put the emphasis on attack, but the leaders were nearly caught cold at the back in the opening minutes.
Everton were already assured of a place in next season’s Europa League, but there was no lack of desire from the hosts as they threw themselves into a series of crunching challenges.
Costa looked furious after a fullblooded lunge from Tom Davies left him crumpled on the turf and he had a golden opportunity to get revenge when Everton made a hash of dealing with a long pass from David Luiz.
In need of inspiration to break down obdurate Everton, Conte’s men went close early in the second half when a clever short corner routine set up Victor Moses for a shot that was deflected wide.
Enner Valencia threatened to rock the visitors as the Everton forward escaped on the touchline and tested Thibaut Courtois from an acute angle.
But Chelsea kept probing and their persistence was rewarded with Pedro’s thunderbolt in the 66th minute.
A sustained period of Chelsea pressure pushed Everton deep into their own penalty area and when the ball was worked to Pedro in a central position the Spanish winger uncorked a fierce 20-yard strike that flashed into the roof of the net for his first goal since February.
With 11 minutes left, Hazard’s low free-kick was pushed out by
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Stekelenburg and Cahill tapped in to trigger chants of “Tottenham, we’re waiting for you” from Chelsea’s jubilant travelling fans.
There was still time for Willian to come off the bench and apply the finishing touch to an incisive raid in the 86th minute.
Tottenham Hotspur beat local rivals Arsenal with second-half goals from prolific pair Dele Alli and Harry Kane on Sunday to maintain their Premier league title challenge.
A deserved victory kept them four points behind leaders Chelsea, who won 3-0 at Everton earlier.
Alli put Spurs ahead in the 56th minute when he followed up after Christian Eriksen’s shot was saved. Two minutes later Kane went down in the penalty area under Gabriel’s challenge and got up to convert the penalty.
Tottenham’s victory in Arsene Wenger’s 50th North London derby as Arsenal manager ensured Spurs will finish above their neighbours for the first time in 22 years.
It was their ninth successive league win and the margin would have been greater but for some fine saves by Petr Cech.
A disappointing Arsenal were restricted to a single chance in the first half when Aaron Ramsey brought a good low save from Hugo Lloris shortly before halftime.
Spurs in contrast were guilty of two bad misses. Midway through the half Kane’s effort was deflected
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets a shot away, past Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta (left), during their Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park
in Liverpool, England on April 30. (AP)
to the far post where Alli could only head wide. Three minutes later Eriksen clipped the bar as another deflection reached him just a few metres out.
Cech was much the busier goalkeeper, making saves either side of the interval from Jan Vertonghen and then Victor Wanyama.
Standings
WASHINGTON, April 30, (AFP): Reigning Olympic 100- and 200-meter champion Elaine Thompson and 4x400 relay runners Fitzroy Dunkley and Janieve Russell anchored impressive Jamaican victories on Saturday at the 123rd Penn Relays. Jamaican and US squads split six races in the