Chelsea have maintained their seven point lead at the top of the English football Premiership after beating Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea forward Diego Costa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Their weekend defeat by Crystal Palace re-ignited the title race but Chelsea responded with a gritty display to keep second-placed Tottenham Hotspur safely at arm's lenght with eight games left.
Spurs fought back from a goal down to score a 3-1 win at Swansea.
Third placed Liverpool conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth.
Arsenal reignited their stuttering top-four challenge, climbing above Manchester United into fifth place, with a 3-0 home victory over West Ham United.
Southampton had a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace while Hull got the chocolates in a goal-filled relegation six-pointer, winning 4-2 over Middlesbrough at home.
Chelsea have 69 points, Tottenham 62, Liverpool 59, Manchester City 58, Manchester United 54 and Arsenal and Everton 51.
At the foot of the table West Ham have 33, Crystal Palace 31, Swansea 28, Hull 27, Middlesbrough 23 and Sunderland 20.
RNZ & AAP
