Desperate Everton earns win over Chelsea
Spurs, Arsenal vie for crucial top-4 spot • Man City and Liverpool keep on winning • Norwich relegated
LONDON (Reuters) – Striker Richarlison profited from a Chelsea error to secure struggling Everton a 1-0 Premier League win and what could be a precious three points in its bid to avoid relegation at a rocking Goodison Park on Sunday.
The home side grabbed the lead a minute into the second half after Cesar Azpilicueta gave up possession under pressure from the Brazilian forward, who harried the Chelsea captain into a mistake before slotting a low shot past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea dominated possession and Everton had to hold on grimly for the final half-hour. It stays in the relegation zone, but moved to within two points of Burnley and Leeds United with a game in hand.
Chelsea remains third with 66 points from 34 games as it bids to qualify for the Champions League.
The Everton team bus was met by hundreds of fans lined along Goodison Road, flares turning the air blue in what was a vocal show of support for Frank Lampard’s side. Fireworks had also been set off outside the Chelsea team hotel during the night.
“Not many gave us a chance, but we believed and the reception we received before the game was tremendous,” Everton captain Seamus Coleman told Sky Sports. “This football club means everything to the fans and it’s another three points, but we’re still in a massive scrap.”
In the late game on Sunday, Arsenal secured a vital three points with a low-energy 2-1 victory over West Ham United at London Stadium to keep ahead of Spurs in the top-four battle.
Also, Son Heung-min continued his prolific season, striking twice after Harry Kane had opened the scoring as Tottenham Hotspur beat Leicester City 3-1 at home to boost its hopes of Champions League qualification.
“Despite making eight changes the Leicester team was good and strong so for this reason we have to be delighted we got three points,” said Spurs boss Antonio Conte. “No one could have imagined when I arrived in November we could be in the [Champions League] race still, but these players are deserving to fight for such an important place. It is not easy to qualify for the Champions League in England.”
Meanwhile, the Premier League top two continued to outdo each other on Saturday as both Manchester City and Liverpool earned crucial wins in their bids for the title, while bottom side Norwich City had its relegation confirmed after losing 2-0 at Aston Villa.
Elsewhere down the bottom, Burnley’s revival under caretaker boss Mike Jackson continued as a thrilling 2-1 win at Watford pulled it five points clear of the relegation zone, a result that ensured Norwich will play Championship soccer next term.
All eyes were on St. James’ Park in the day’s early kickoff, less than 72 hours on from Liverpool’s Champions League semifinal first leg win over Villarreal, where victory over Newcastle United would send Jurgen Klopp’s side top.
Klopp rung the changes to freshen things up, and one of those players coming
in, Naby Keita, struck what proved to be the winner in the first half to send Liverpool above City temporarily.
The win continued a relentless run of form that has dragged Liverpool back into the title race. Klopp’s men have picked up 40 points from the last 42 on offer, only dropping points away to City.
Newcastle, looking for a fifth-straight league win, never gave in, but could not break through a near-impenetrable Liverpool rearguard.
Liverpool has kept 21 clean sheets in the league this season – more than any other side. Only in 2005/06 (22) have the Reds kept more shutouts in a single campaign in the division.
With Liverpool’s task complete, it was City’s turn to continue its impressive form at Leeds United, which is battling to stay in the Premiership.
City boss Pep Guardiola also made plenty of changes to his side with Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg clash with Real Madrid in mind, leading to the visitors looked a little disjointed from the off.
However, they soon found their feet with Spanish midfielder Rodri heading them into a 13th-minute lead, before another goal from a corner, this time stabbed home by Nathan Ake early in the second half, putting them in control.
A raucous Elland Road crowd did their best to put City off, and the hosts had their chances, but further goals from Gabriel Jesus and substitute Fernandinho restored City to top spot on 83 points from 34 matches played, one point clear of Liverpool.
“We knew coming here the way they play, we suffered a lot in the first half,” Guardiola said. “But in the end we had control and could have scored more. An incredible result for us.”
For Leeds, it is five points clear of the relegation zone after a first defeat in six league games.
Burnley is on the up after its spirited comeback win at Watford which edged the hosts closer to the drop.
Late goals from Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill earned the visitors their first come-from-behind away win in the Premier League. A third league win in a row under caretaker Jackson lifts Burnley to 16th on 34 points from 34 matches.
Norwich, however, limped out of the Premier League with a whimper following a goal and assist by Villa substitute Danny Ings. It is 13 points from the safety zone, with only 12 points still left to play for.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace earned a 2-1 win at Southampton, while Brighton & Hove Albion beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.
On Monday, Manchester United hosts Brenton to close out the slate.