Fabregas fuels Chelsea’s 10th consecutive win

Used sparingly by Chelsea during its long run of victories, Cesc Fabregas is providing significant reminders of his enduring value to the English Premier League leaders.

Two weeks ago, it was Fabregas’ raking pass to set up Diego Costa’s goal that sparked Chelsea’s comefrom-behind win at Manchester City.

On Wednesday, it was the Spain midfielder’s classy goal — a onetwo with Willian before a composed finish from the edge of the area — that earned Chelsea a 1-0 win at Sunderland, a 10th straight victory in the league and six-point lead over Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been mostly selecting Nemanja Matic alongside the tireless N’Golo Kante in central midfield, an axis in a 3-4-3 formation that has driven the team to maximum points since Oct. 1.

The 29-year-old Fabregas covers less ground than Matic, but offers something different: More vision, more creativity and a stronger goal threat. It’s not a bad selection headache for Conte to have.

MIDDLESBROUGH 0, LIVERPOOL 3

Adam Lallana scored two goals and set up another to inspire Liverpool to victory as goalkeeper Simon Mignolet marked his return to the team with a clean sheet. Liverpool climbed into second place, above Arsenal on goals scored.

MANCHESTER CITY 2, WATFORD 0

City lost midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to a serious knee injury in a win that brought mixed emotions for manager Pep Guardiola.

Gundogan appeared to be in tears as he was helped off the field late in the first half, and Guardiola said after the match that the Germany international would be out for a “long time” with damaged ligaments.

CRYSTAL PALACE 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored an 88th-minute winner for United, which has collected consecutive victories in the league for the first time since August.

Paul Pogba slotted United in front on the stroke of halftime, before James McArthur equalized at Selhurst Park.