United win, halt Manchester City’s long winning streak

MANCHESTER: Man City’s relentless march towards the Premier League title was interrupted as their 21-match winning streak in all competitions was ended by a surprise 2-0 home defeat to rivals Man United on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side could have few complaints as a second-minute penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw’s fine finish early in the second half earned United a surprise win.

While City still lead the table by 11 points with 10 games left, second-placed United showed there are chinks in the armour of Guardiola’s side as they ended a disappointing run of results against the so-called big six.

Victory for United put them in a reasonably healthy position in their quest to ensure a top-four finish as they are eight points ahead of fifth-placed Everton who play fourth-placed Chelsea on Monday at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s horrendous run of form continued as they lost a sixth successive home league game -- this time 1-0 against relegation battlers Fulham -- to drop to eighth. Ordinarily Fulham’s first win at Anfield since 2012, sealed by Mario Lemina’s goal on the stroke of halftime, would have been a huge shock but such is Liverpool’s current malaise it became just another sad statistic for the crumbling champions.

“This team is an extreme team. We were extremely successful and now we have an extreme situation as well but we will fight through,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said.

Fulham’s win moved them level on points with 17th-placed Brighton and Hove Albion and only one point behind Newcastle United, who could only manage a 0-0 draw with second-frombottom West Bromwich Albion.

“It’s a big win. There’s a lot of emotion and I am very proud,” Fulham boss Scott Parker said.

Gareth Bale and Harry Kane combined in exhilarating fashion with two goals apiece in Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace to move into sixth spot, two points behind Chelsea. Kane claimed assists for both of Bale’s goals taking his total for the season to 13, as well as his 16 goals.