Chelsea extend EPL winning streak
Leaders Chelsea stretched their Premier League winning run to a club record-equalling 11 as Diego Costa’s header shortly before halftime secured a 1-0 victory at London rivals Crystal Palace yesterday.
The Spain international climbed high to connect with Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross in the 43rd minute, guiding a header beyond the reach of Wayne Hennessey at a foggy Selhurst Park.
It was Costa’s 13th league goal of the season, taking his Chelsea haul to 50 in all competitions, and was enough to seal a third consecutive 1-0 win for Antonio Conte’s confident side who head into Christmas looking unstoppable.
After 17 games they have 14 wins - a record for a new manager in the Premier League - and are nine points clear of Arsenal and Liverpool who play this morning and tomorrow against Manchester City and Everton, respectively.
It is the first time Chelsea have won 11 consecutive league games in a single season, although they also managed 11 in a run spanning two campaigns in 2009.
With home games to come against Bournemouth and Stoke City they are closing in on Arsenal’s record of 14 consecutive wins in the Premier League.
‘‘Another win, we deserved to win,’’ Conte said. ‘‘We played with great concentration against a strong, physical team.
‘‘To win 11 in a row is fantastic. The most important thing is that we are a team, in every moment of the every game. When we suffer we suffer together. I see every day their commitment.’’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was Manchester United’s matchwinner for the second time in three days, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion yesterday.
Ibrahimovic, 35, a free signing in the offseason, is looking ageless with 10 goals in nine games in all competitions.
Jose Mourinho’s side remains sixth in the English Premier League after a third successive win, 13 points behind leader Chelsea where the manager was fired exactly a year ago.
United opened up West Brom after five minutes with just two passes, resulting in Ibrahimovic’s opener. Antonio Valencia sent Jesse Lingard clear on the right and his first-time cross found the on-rushing Ibrahimovic to head past goalkeeper Ben Foster from six metres.
Ibrahimovic, who also scored United’s winner at Crystal Palace on Thursday, could have been sent off in the first half when he clattered into Craig Dawson, leading with his shoulder.
Ibrahimovic stayed on the field and grabbed a second in the 56th when his low drive deflected off Dawson.
Meanwhile, England striker Jamie Vardy was sent off in champions Leicester City’s 2-2 draw with Stoke City.
Manager Claudio Ranieri and Leicester City’s players and fans may be in hot water following illdiscipline and crowd behaviour during the 10-man champions’ remarkable 2-2 fightback at Stoke City.
The normally unflappable Ranieri has rarely appeared more enraged as he confronted referee Craig Pawson at the interval following a stormy first half during which Vardy was sent off and Leicester fell two goals behind.
As they were coming off the pitch at the break, Ranieri and some of his players remonstrated with Pawson and, as the official passed Leicester supporters while accompanied by security, coins appeared to be thrown at him.
Leicester trailed 2-0 before goals by Leonardo Ulloa and Daniel Amartey gave them a share of the points.
Alvaro Negredo struck twice in Middlesbrough’s 3-0 home win over struggling Swansea City. Marten de Roon added the third as Boro moved up to 14th place.
Attacking left back Patrick van Aanholt’s goal earned Sunderland a vital 1-0 home win over Watford.
West Ham United edged bottom team Hull City 1-0.