Chelsea pegged back by Burnley
Print Edition
PREMIER League leader Chelsea dropped points for only the third time since September after getting pegged back by dogged Burnley in a 1-1 draw at a snowy Turf Moor yesterday.
The result meant Chelsea extended its lead to 10 points over second-placed Tottenham, but this was one of the most uncomfortable games that Antonio Conte’s side has experienced for some time.
Pedro Rodriguez finished off a rapid counterattack to put Chelsea ahead in the seventh minute, only for Burnley to equalize through Robbie Brady’s curling, 25-meter free-kick in the 24th.
Burnley had the better chances to win the game, with its physical presence causing Chelsea problems throughout.
Since losing 0-3 to Arsenal on September 24, Chelsea has won all of its games except for a 0-2 loss to Tottenham on January 4 and a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on January 31.
Manchester City will go second and trim Chelsea’s lead to eight points if it beats Bournemouth today.
On Saturday, second-place Tottenham was outplayed at Liverpool in a 0-2 loss. Sadio Mane scored both goals in a two-minute spell in the first half, as Liverpool rediscovered its form of the first half of the season to gain a first league win in six attempts in 2017.
It was only Tottenham’s third loss in this campaign and instead of having faint hopes of catching Chelsea, the priority for Mauricio Pochettino’s players will be preserving a top-four place to get back in the Champions League.
Arsenal and Manchester United also won 2-0, against Hull and Watford respectively, as the race for a top-four finish intensified. Two points separate Tottenham and sixth-place United.
Recalled to the team, Anthony Martial took his opportunity to impress United manager Jose Mourinho.
The France winger set up Juan Mata for a 31st-minute opener against Watford before scoring the second in the 60th in a comfortable win for United at Old Trafford
Martial, signed for 36 million pounds (US$55.5 million) in 2015, has been in and out of the team under Mourinho, who has called on him to show improvement with so many other wide players competing for places.
United extended its unbeaten streak in the league to 16 games.
Meanwhile, it was a tale of two handballs at Emirates Stadium.
Alexis Sanchez bundled in his first goal from close range using his right hand, with officials deciding it was accidental as the ball deflected up off goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
In injury time, Hull midfielder Sam Clucas blocked a header from Lucas Perez on the goal-line using his hand and was sent off. Sanchez drove home a low penalty for a league-high 17th goal of the season.
A week after winning 4-0 at Crystal Palace, Sunderland lost by the same score at Southampton to stay bottom of the standings. Seventh-place Everton squandered a chance to close on the teams above them after being held to a 0-0 draw at 15th-place Middlesbrough.
In Spain, Real Madrid needed goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Francisco “Isco” Alarcon to beat bottom-side Osasuna by a hard-fought 3-1.
Barcelona’s big three of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, and Neymar led a 6-0 rout at Alaves.
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