Chelsea show off title credentials at Goodison

Blues end Everton’s home run to stay four clear of rivals

EVERTON 0 CHELSEA 3

Chelsea’s title credentials have not really been in doubt for several months but the manner of their 3-0 win over Everton suggests they are in no mood to allow nerves to get the better of them.

For more than an hour it remained goalless at Goodison Park but the air of confidence Antonio Conte’s side carry meant it never felt as though they were in danger and there was a certain inevitability about the goals from Pedro, Gary Cahill and substitute Willian in the final 25 minutes.

That was not taking anything away from their opener – an unstoppable strike from the former Barcelona forward – but it was another of those typically attritional performances in which their quality ultimately shines through.

The Premier League leaders began the day four points ahead of Tottenham, kicking off later in the north London derby at home to Arsenal, knowing any slip would give their rivals all the ammunition they needed to ramp up the pressure in the title race.

That opportunity never materialised as Chelsea became only the second team to win a league match at Goodison in the last year, with the Toffees having gone eight matches unbeaten at home since December.

MIDDLESBROUGH 2 MAN CITY 2

Gabriel Jesus marked his return to Manchester City’s starting line-up by grabbing a dramatic late equaliser for his side in a 2-2 draw against relegationhaunted Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Jesus headed home a Sergio Aguero cross in the 84th minute after Calum Chambers appeared to have secured three priceless points for the hosts in their unlikely battle to beat the drop.

Steve Agnew’s men led through a firsthalf strike from former City striker Alvaro Negredo before the visitors drew level in controversial fashion when Ague ron et ted from the spot. Boro players reacted with fury when Leroy Sane went down under the challenge of Marten de Roon – but reacted brilliantly to grab back the lead just seven minutes later.

But in a thrilling finale Jesus, back after 10 weeks out with a foot injury, strengthened his side’s top-four prospects and left Boro six points off safety with just three games to go.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 SWANSEA 1

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s brilliant free-kick put a dent in Manchester United’s Champions League hopes as yet another Old Trafford draw gave relegation-threatened Swansea reason to believe in Premier League survival.

England striker Marcus Rashford’s contentiously-won penalty just before halftime, converted by Wayne Rooney, had given United control of the match but Sigurdsson bent the ball home in the 79th minute, seconds after Ander Herrera abandoned the post to join the wall.

It was a deflating way for United to set a new record unbeaten streak – 25 matches dating back to October 23, though 11 of those games have ended in draws.

Gabriel Jesus after scoring his late equaliser for Manchester City against relegationthreatened Middlesbrough.