Chelsea seize top spot, Man Utd draw

LONDON — Timo Werner fired Chelsea to the top of the Premier League as the German’s late goal inspired a controversy-filled 3-1 win against 10-man Southampton yesterday.

Thomas Tuchel’s side ended a frustrating week on a high note thanks to Werner’s contribution to a dramatic finale at Stamford Bridge.

After successive 1-0 defeats against Manchester City and Juventus, the Blues were in danger of another disappointing result with just minutes remaining in rain-soaked west London.

Trevoh Chalobah’s early opener for Chelsea had been cancelled out by a James WardProwse penalty in the second half.

But Ward-Prowse was sent off for an ugly lunge on Jorginho and Chelsea took full advantage as Werner restored their lead with six minutes left before Ben Chilwell wrapped up the points.

Chelsea sit two points clear of secondplaced Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp’s side able to regain pole position if they beat champions Manchester City today.

Failure to defeat a Southampton side still seeking their first league win this season would have raised serious questions about the European champions.

So it was a huge relief for Tuchel to get back on track heading into the international break as Chelsea put one of their rare blips of the German's reign behind them.

Earlier Manchester United missed the chance to move top of the Premier League and needed a late VAR call in their favour to avoid another home defeat as Everton emerged from Old Trafford with a 1-1 draw yesterday.

Yerry Mina’s late winner for the Toffees was ruled out by a review for offside after Andros Townsend had cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener for United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to rest Cristiano Ronaldo from the start will be questioned as the Red Devils have now won just two of their last six games in all competitions.

A point is enough to move both sides level on points with league leaders Liverpool, who face champions Manchester City today.

Manchester United 1-1 Everton; Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Newcastle; Leeds United 1-0 Watford; Chelsea 3-1 Southampton; Burnley 0-0 Norwich City; Brighton v Arsenal (played late).

West Ham v Brentford (3pm); Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa (3pm); Crystal Palace v Leicester City (3pm); Liverpool v Manchester City (5:30pm).