Chelsea have kept alive their remote Premier League title chances with a 2-0 win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Monday (NZ time)
The win was set up by an exquisite strike from Hakim Ziyech, which was quickly followed up by a Thiago Silva header.
In the 47th minute, Ziyech broke the deadlock, when he received the ball on edge of the box, after Callum Hudson-Odoi surged forward and the Moroccan curled his shot into the top corner.
Thomas Tuchel's men sealed their first league win of 2022 eight minutes later, when Silva, despite being sandwiched between two Spurs defenders, headed home a free kick floated into the box by Mason Mount.
Spurs, previously unbeaten in nine league games under former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, thought they had taken the lead in the first half, when Harry Kane put the ball in the net. But referee Paul Tierney ruled the England striker pushed Silva off the ball before turning and firing it past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The win - Chelsea' fourth this season over Spurs, including a two-legged league cup semi-final this month - left the Blues in third place on 47 points, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City who have played a game fewer, and one point behind second-placed Liverpool, who have two games in hand over the Blues.
Spurs are seventh on 36 points although they have played four fewer games than Chelsea.
Earlier, Liverpool had to withstand a spirited second-half fightback from Crystal Palace, before emerging with a 3-1 win to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to nine points.
The visitors started brightly with Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson missing great chances before an unmarked Virgil Van Dijk gave Liverpool the lead with a thumping header from a corner.
Meanwhile, Burnley earned themselves a precious point in a 0-0 draw away at Arsenal in the Premier League, with their back line and keeper doing just enough to keep out the misfiring Gunners.
Arsenal dominated possession in the first half and registered 12 attempts on goal to Burnley's five, but the home side were let down by some wayward finishing.
The hosts came to life again halfway through the second half, with Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli creating numerous chances in a breathless period of play. But despite all the pressure they were unable to find the back of the net.
In other action, Brighton striker Danny Welbeck netted a late header to cancel out Leicester City forward Patson Daka's opener, as the teams played out a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Welbeck rose above Leicester's James Justin at the back post and connected with Neal Maupay's deep cross, sending his header into the bottom corner to grab the equaliser in the 82nd minute.
Daka had put Leicester in the lead in the 46th minute when he scored on the rebound after Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez kept out a shot from Harvey Barnes.
Brighton had the chance to turn the match around in the final minutes, but Dan Burn's header was cleared off the line by Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans before keeper Kasper Schmeichel saved a stunning effort from Leandro Trossard.
Reuters.
