Chelsea claims third with 2-1 Sunderland win

LONDON — Chelsea seized on Tottenham’s slip-up in the Premier League to reclaim third place with a 2-1victory over Sunderland that handed Paolo Di Canio a losing start as manager.

Chelsea was playing its fourth game in nine days but still had enough energy to come from behind, with Branislav Ivanovic netting the winner after both sides scored an own goal.

Chelsea is now back ahead of Tottenham on goal difference after its London rival drew 2-2 with Everton and dropped to fourth.

A superior goal difference is also keeping Sunderland out of the relegation zone ahead of Wigan, which drew 1-1at Queens Park Rangers.

QPR led through Loic Remy’s 85th-minute goal but Shaun Maloney equalized with a free kick in stoppage time to leave the London club a point above bottom-place Reading but still seven adrift of Wigan and Sunderland.

With the season entering its final weeks, Manchester United can effectively wrap up the title on Monday with a victory in the Manchester derby that would put the leaders 18 points ahead of Manchester City.

Chelsea’s sixth straight win in all competitions ensured Benitez continues to escape the abuse he faced after replacing Roberto Di Matteo in November.

It was helped by Tottenham, without the injured Gareth Bale, throwing away the lead against Everton.

Emmanuel Adebayor put Tottenham ahead inside the first minute at White Hart Lane, turning Jan Vertonghen’s cross into the net.

While Tottenham is two points ahead of fifth-place Arsenal having played an extra game, Everton is a further four points adrift in sixth.

Liverpool is three points behind its Merseyside rival after drawing 0-0 with West Ham, which is six points clear of danger.

QPR’s survival bid looked to have been boosted when Remy scored a sublime goal despite Harry Redknapp’s side down to 10 men since Bobby Zamora was sent off in the 21st for a clumsy high challenge on Jordi Gomez.

But Maloney levelled in the fourth minute of stoppage time, sending his free kick over the wall and past Julio Cesar.

Newcastle also scored in the final moments to move five points clear of Wigan and Sunderland with a 1-0 victory over Fulham.