Sports
Chelsea moved ten points clear at the top of the table, as City gain ground on fallen United. Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero score to go joint top at the top scorers' table.
Updated : Sep 29, 2017, 09:23 PM IST
It was a remarkable weekend in the Barclays Premier League, as Chelsea's 1-0 win against Manchester United put them within touching distance of their first title in five years.
Chelsea open a 10-point gap at the top
Chelsea may have opened a 10 point gap at the top of the table, but they were made to work hard for their 1-0 victory against a formidable Manchester United side. In the early moments of the match, United showed real promise in attack and even came close to scoring, when a delightful overlapping run from full back Luke Shaw slit the Chelsea defence wide open.
Shaw crossed the ball into Wayne Rooney's path, but the United skipper couldn't seem to guide the ball into the back of the net as his curling shot went wide of the post.
Rooney's attempt was United's only clear cut opportunity in the first half. United's passing throughout the half had been brilliant, but Radamel Falcao gave away possession at the halfway line after being pressured by Chelsea skipper John Terry. Cesc Fabregas took possession over the ball and found Oscar in space in the center of Chelsea's attacking half.
Oscar perfectly back-heeled the ball into Eden Hazard's path, who showed everyone why he was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year. Hazard perfectly controlled the ball into the penalty area and slotted the ball through United goalkeeper David De Gea's feet and into the back of the net, in sublime fashion. Chelsea took the lead in the 38th minute of the match.
Chelsea threatened to score again when United's Ander Herrera's wayward pass came straight to Nemanja Matic who put Didier Drogba through on goal, but the Ivorian was cut across by United defender Chris Smalling. Drogba got a deflected shot away that fell in the path of Hazard who couldn't increase his goals tally, as his attempt struck the crossbar and into the hands of De Gea.
Falcao had United's best chance to equalise, when Shaw's perfectly weighed pass found him in space inside the box, but the Colombian couldn't find his goalscoring feet yet again as his shot struck the post instead of the back of the net.
United may have enjoyed the majority of possession (70%), but Chelsea's resolute defending kept United at bay till the end of 90 minutes.
Manchester City gain ground on Manchester United
Manchester City who were fresh out of a humiliating derby defeat to Manchester United last weekend, silenced critics with a resolute 2-0 win against West Ham.
The 4-2 derby day loss was shrugged off by City, who kept alive their hopes of Champions League football next season. The Sky Blues were assisted with an early own goal courtesy of West Ham defender James Collins. West Ham goalkeeper Adrian gave away possession through his goal kick that fell straight to City winger Jesus Navas.
Navas tried to pick out Sergio Aguero in the box, but instead found Collins who completely miscued the ball and looped it into his own net.
City weren't done yet as Yaya Toure won possession on the halfway line and slid in to guide the ball into Aguero's path, who dribbled the ball in commanding fashion and cut open the West Ham defence. Aguero found Navas at the edge of the box, who passed the ball back into Aguero's feet. The Argentine who has been in sensational form this season, slotted the ball into the back of the net and get his 20th goal of the season.
The victory meant that City are just a point behind third-placed Manchester United on fourth.
Harry Kane scores his 30th goal of the season
Tottenham Hotspur's new talisman Harry Kane has been the biggest revealation for English Football as he scored his 30th goal this season. The 21 year old who has been in scintillating form sealed a 3-1 victory for Spurs over Newcastle United. The win puts Spurs level on points with Liverpool (57 points) and improved their chances of European football next season.
Kane's goal put him on top of the Premier League top scorers' list along with Sergio Aguero, with the duo on 20 goals each.
Match-Preview
Arsenal who were out of action this weekend due to their FA Cup semi-final clash against Reading, will face Chelsea in a top of the table clash. Arsenal who offer Chelsea their only threat to winning their first title since 2010, will heavily rely on current form that has seen them win seven consecutive League matches.
Liverpool on the other hand who were also out of League action will look to fend off the pressure from Tottenham who are level on points with them. Manchester United, who fell to an undeserved loss to Chelsea, will look to regain momentum that has seen them climb to third, which has almost confirmed their bid for Champions League football next season.