Saints’ draw with Leicester is fillip for Terriers

SOUTHAMPTON halted their losing run, but a goalless draw at Leicester last night did little for their Premier League survival hopes.

It did, however, mean that Huddersfield Town are breathing a little more easily as they are six points ahead of the Saints – who occupy the last relegation spot – with four matches remaining.

Saints arrived at the King Power Stadium following four straight league defeats.

It is not exactly mission impossible for Mark Hughes’s team as clubs have survived from the position they are in, or worse, on four occasions in Premier League history.

Whether Southampton can join Bradford City (1999-00), West Ham (2006-07), Fulham (2007-08) and Sunderland (201314) remains to be seen.

The stalemate also halted back-to-back losses for Leicester, who remain without a home win in the league since January 20.

Victor Moses was the matchwinner as Chelsea eased the pressure on London rivals Arsenal by denting Burnley’s push for sixth place.

The Clarets kicked off at Turf Moor on the back of a five-match winning run and knowing a sixth would see them leapfrog the Gunners and bring the prospect of guaranteed Europa League football within touching distance.

But Moses produced the firsthalf cross that spawned Kevin Long’s own-goal then drilled home a decisive low shot to make it 2-1 after Ashley Barnes had equalised by unintentionally deflecting a Johann Berg Gudmundsson shot.

Burnley, whose stellar season began with an opening day victory at Stamford Bridge, still have a chance to see more regular Thursday night football by finishing seventh, while three points ensured the Blues had reason to toast Antonio Conte’s 100th game in charge.

Alvaro Morata looked unlikely to join in any celebrations though, missing a sitter at 1-0 and fuming when he was replaced by Eden Hazard.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche focused on the positives after the defeat. “I’m really pleased with our growing mentality,” he said. “It’s not easy when you’re 1-0 down against these at half-time to come out and take the game on – and I thought we did.

“We tried to play, we still mixed our play and I think it’s been effective for us.

“So there are certainly no disappointments. Our judgment really is that we’re playing a top side and I think we’re getting closer. We’ve still got loads of work to do, but the gap has got closer over the last three seasons.”