Chelsea close on title as Leicester climb off bottom
Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Chelsea went 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday as Leicester moved off the bottom of the table.
Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge to leave Jose Mourinho's side in sight of their first English title since 2010.
The Belgium midfielder scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute when he placed a low shot past United goalkeeper David de Gea after Oscar had back-heeled the ball into his path.
Chelsea will be champions if they win their next two matches, against second-placed Arsenal and Leicester.
"I feel we are almost there, but there are no 'almosts' in football," said Chelsea manager Mourinho.
"Six games to play: three at home, three away. Every game is difficult, every team needs points. But our situation is very good."
Defeat left United third, 11 points adrift of Chelsea and having played a game more than the Blues.
"I'm not frustrated -- I'm very proud of my team," said United manager Louis van Gaal.
"In football, you can lose in spite of being the better team," the Dutchman added.
Meanwhile Leicester made it three wins in a row with a 2-0 victory at home to Swansea.
Argentinian forward Leonardo Ulloa, only drafted into the side after fellow striker David Nugent injured himself in the warm-up, scored in the 15th minute after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
King made the game safe for Leicester a minute from time when he scored after Esteban Cambiasso's free-kick was parried by Lukasz Fabianksi.
This latest success saw Leicester climb off the bottom of the table for the first time since November, with only goal difference now standing between the Midlands club and safety.
However, cautious Leicester manager Nigel Pearson told Sky Sports: "The danger is people start believing the job is done.
"It is far from it. There is a long way to go."
Ten-man Burnley replaced Leicester at the bottom after a 1-0 loss away to Everton.
Belgium winger Kevin Mirallas scored the only goal of the game in the 29th minute after Everton team-mate Ross Barkley saw his penalty kick saved by Tom Heaton.
Burnley were a man down after Ashley Barnes was sent off for sliding in on Seamus Coleman on the stroke of half-time, with Mirallas lucky not to see red in the second half for a poor challenge on George Boyd.
Southampton's push for a Champions League place was halted by a 2-1 loss away to Stoke.
Defeat meant the Saints missed out on the chance to leapfrog Liverpool into fifth place and move to within two points of Manchester City, currently occupying the fourth and final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs.
Faltering defending Premier League champions City are at home to West Ham on Sunday, when Liverpool play top-flight rivals Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
Morgan Schneiderlin scored from close range to put the Saints ahead in the 22nd minute at the Britannia Stadium after Jose Fonte headed on a corner from the right.
But the Potters were level early in the second half when Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis misjudged Steven N'Zonzi's chip into the box. The ball hit the crossbar and Mame Biram Diouf fired in the rebound.
And Stoke were ahead six minutes from time when Charlie Adam followed up after Jon Walters's shot was blocked.
"We were unlucky. I am happy how the lads played," said Southampton manager Ronald Koeman.
"Everyone is talking about Champions League, we didn't. We talk about playing good football and fighting for a European place."
West Brom went eight points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory at manager Tony Pulis's former club, Crystal Palace.
James Morrison scored in just the second minute at Selhurst Park when, completely unmarked, he headed in a corner from eight yards out.
The Baggies doubled their lead in the 53rd minute through Craig Gardner's brilliant 25-yard strike.
FA Cup holders Arsenal saw off second-tier Reading 2-1 after extra-time in a Wembley semi-final on Saturday.
Chile's Alexis Sanchez, who gave Arsenal the lead before Garath McCleary's second-half equaliser, scored the decisive goal when Australia goalkeeper Adam Federici allowed a shot to escape his grasp in the first period of extra-time.
Arsenal's north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, continue their quest for a European place away to Newcastle on Sunday.
Chelsea went 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday as Leicester moved off the bottom of the table.
Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge to leave Jose Mourinho's side in sight of their first English title since 2010.
The Belgium midfielder scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute when he placed a low shot past United goalkeeper David de Gea after Oscar had back-heeled the ball into his path.
Chelsea will be champions if they win their next two matches, against second-placed Arsenal and Leicester.
"I feel we are almost there, but there are no 'almosts' in football," said Chelsea manager Mourinho.
"Six games to play: three at home, three away. Every game is difficult, every team needs points. But our situation is very good."
Defeat left United third, 11 points adrift of Chelsea and having played a game more than the Blues.
"I'm not frustrated -- I'm very proud of my team," said United manager Louis van Gaal.
"In football, you can lose in spite of being the better team," the Dutchman added.
Meanwhile Leicester made it three wins in a row with a 2-0 victory at home to Swansea.
Argentinian forward Leonardo Ulloa, only drafted into the side after fellow striker David Nugent injured himself in the warm-up, scored in the 15th minute after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
King made the game safe for Leicester a minute from time when he scored after Esteban Cambiasso's free-kick was parried by Lukasz Fabianksi.
This latest success saw Leicester climb off the bottom of the table for the first time since November, with only goal difference now standing between the Midlands club and safety.
However, cautious Leicester manager Nigel Pearson told Sky Sports: "The danger is people start believing the job is done.
"It is far from it. There is a long way to go."
Ten-man Burnley replaced Leicester at the bottom after a 1-0 loss away to Everton.
Belgium winger Kevin Mirallas scored the only goal of the game in the 29th minute after Everton team-mate Ross Barkley saw his penalty kick saved by Tom Heaton.
Burnley were a man down after Ashley Barnes was sent off for sliding in on Seamus Coleman on the stroke of half-time, with Mirallas lucky not to see red in the second half for a poor challenge on George Boyd.
Southampton's push for a Champions League place was halted by a 2-1 loss away to Stoke.
Defeat meant the Saints missed out on the chance to leapfrog Liverpool into fifth place and move to within two points of Manchester City, currently occupying the fourth and final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs.
Faltering defending Premier League champions City are at home to West Ham on Sunday, when Liverpool play top-flight rivals Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
Morgan Schneiderlin scored from close range to put the Saints ahead in the 22nd minute at the Britannia Stadium after Jose Fonte headed on a corner from the right.
But the Potters were level early in the second half when Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis misjudged Steven N'Zonzi's chip into the box. The ball hit the crossbar and Mame Biram Diouf fired in the rebound.
And Stoke were ahead six minutes from time when Charlie Adam followed up after Jon Walters's shot was blocked.
"We were unlucky. I am happy how the lads played," said Southampton manager Ronald Koeman.
"Everyone is talking about Champions League, we didn't. We talk about playing good football and fighting for a European place."
West Brom went eight points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory at manager Tony Pulis's former club, Crystal Palace.
James Morrison scored in just the second minute at Selhurst Park when, completely unmarked, he headed in a corner from eight yards out.
The Baggies doubled their lead in the 53rd minute through Craig Gardner's brilliant 25-yard strike.
FA Cup holders Arsenal saw off second-tier Reading 2-1 after extra-time in a Wembley semi-final on Saturday.
Chile's Alexis Sanchez, who gave Arsenal the lead before Garath McCleary's second-half equaliser, scored the decisive goal when Australia goalkeeper Adam Federici allowed a shot to escape his grasp in the first period of extra-time.
Arsenal's north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, continue their quest for a European place away to Newcastle on Sunday.