The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Chelsea move into third as Foxes rescue a point
PREMIER LEAGUE: Blues beat Palace as Vardy earns Leicester draw at Arsenal
Chelsea kept themselves on course to qualify for the Champions League as they hung on for a nervy 3-2 win over Crystal Palace before Leicester needed a late equaliser from Jamie Vardy to get a point in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal.
Chelsea were ahead only six minutes in as Olivier Giroud turned in Willian’s cross after ex-Blues defender Gary Cahill had gone down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Willian was involved again as Christian Pulisic put Chelsea 2-0 up in the 27th minute but Palace responded with a superb strike from Wilfried Zaha.
The hosts were getting the better of the second half before Chelsea substitute Tammy Abraham struck with 19 minutes left, but Palace would not go away as Christian Benteke scored just seconds later, his first goal at Selhurst Park since April 2018.
Scott Dann struck a post in stoppage time but Chelsea hung on for a vital win, though Frank Lampard, who opted for 19-year-old Scot Billy Gilmour over the experienced Jorginho in midfield, was frustrated by his side’s lack of control.
“We should have had the game under much more control at that point,” he said. “At 2-0 we should have carried on and controlled the game better and at 3-2 we had a lot of chances, good chances, to finish it off.
“There was slight wrong decisions made on the final pass or shot and then it invites pressure.
“Kepa made a great save and Kurt made a great tackle. In those last moments it was nerve-racking for us.”
The win was enough to move them one point above Leicester as Brendan Rodgers’ side were frustrated in north London.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned in Bukayo Saka’s 21st-minute cross to put Arsenal ahead.
But after Eddie Nketiah was sent off shortly after coming on as a substitute with 15 minutes to play, Vardy’s 22nd goal of the season survived a lengthy VAR check for offside to earn Leicester a point.
Leicester are now four points clear of Manchester United, who visit Aston Villa tomorrow.
Rodgers told the BBC: “It is good for us (the draw). Arsenal have been on a run but we have come here after a tough game at the weekend and play well.
“We didn’t lose it so it is good for the sport. It gives us confidence to continue with this mindset.”
Watford’s survival chances were handed a huge boost as a Danny Welbeck wonder-strike secured a 2-1 win over Norwich at Vicarage Road.
Welbeck capitalised on a deflected cross to hit an incredible overhead kick as Nigel Pearson’s side came from a goal down to secure their first victory since the Premier League restart.
The Canaries have now lost all six of their matches following the resumption, but took the lead through Emiliano Buendia inside the first five minutes at Watford.
Buendia’s strike was Norwich’s first Premier League goal since February 29 and also marked the first time Daniel Farke’s men had taken the lead since that date, although their advantage was short-lived.
Craig Dawson’s header levelled the game six minutes later with his second goal since the break.
In the second half, Watford edged closer to claiming their first win since the restart when Welbeck struck.
The victory moves 17th-placed Watford four points clear of the drop zone, while bottom club Norwich are now 10 points from safety.