Chelsea go ten clear, Foxes win
Chelsea opened up a ten-point lead at the top of the English Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Eden Hazard underlined his credentials to be named PFA player of the year when he provided the 38th-minute winner for his 18th goal in all competitions this season. The Belgian raced onto Oscar's back-heel to slip the ball through the legs of David de Gea - another PFA player of the year candidate - in the United goal.
United remain in third place - one point behind Arsenal and four points ahead of Manchester City, both sides having a game in hand on Louis van Gaal's side. The visitors dominated possession for large periods but, apart from an early chance for Wayne Rooney, they seldom threatened Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea almost doubled their lead at the start of the second half when Didier Drogba's deflected shot flew over the head of De Gea and Hazard hooked the loose ball against the crossbar from a tight angle. United striker Radamel Falcao, starting his first game since the end of February, struck the outside of the goal-frame in the second half but the hosts comfortably saw the game out to move within two victories of their first title for five years.
Earlier on Saturday, Leicester climbed off the bottom of the table as a 2-0 home win over Swansea City gave them a third successive victory. The Foxes only remain in the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference after moving above Burnley and QPR and drawing level on points with Hull City.
Leonardo Ulloa gave Leicester a 15th-minute lead with his first league goal since Boxing Day after he was promoted to the starting line-up by David Nugent's injury in the warm-up. Andy King settled matters in the final minute when Lukasz Fabianski fumbled Esteban Cambiasso's free-kick as Swansea failed to collect the point needed to better their best-ever Premier League points total of 47.
Burnley's survival hopes suffered a blow in a 1-0 defeat at Everton, Roberto Martinez's Toffees now unbeaten in five league games. Kevin Mirallas gave Everton a 29th-minute lead from James McCarthy's cross before Burnley were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time when Ashley Barnes was sent off for two bookable offences.
Tony Pulis enjoyed a happy return to Crystal Palace as his West Bromwich Albion side eased their relegation worries by winning 2-0 at Selhurst Park. Pulis left Palace on the eve of this campaign after saving the Eagles from relegation last season and he did not have to wait long for Albion to take the lead on his old stamping ground.
James Morrison nodded in Chris Brunt's second-minute corner and Craig Gardner's brilliant 30-yard strike after 53 minutes ensured Albion would end a run of three successive defeats with a precious victory.
Stoke City beat Southampton 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium as the Potters claimed their first top-flight victory over Saints in 15 matches. Morgan Schneiderlin put Southampton ahead from close range after 22 minutes when he profited from Jose Fonte's flick-on.
Mame Biram Diouf equalised two minutes after the re-start when Steven Nzonzi's deflected shot came back off the crossbar and substitute Charlie Adam lashed home the 84th-minute winner.