Chelsea down Spurs as City, Liverpool keep pace

AFP, LONDON: Chelsea fought back for a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur that cemented their place on top of the Premier League, while title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool kept pace with the leaders on Saturday.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea had been knocked out of pole position by City’s 2-1 win at Burnley and Liverpool’s 2-0 success against Sunderland earlier in the afternoon.
But they regained their one-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who are level on points with third-placed City, thanks to a gritty London derby success at Stamford Bridge that made it seven successive league wins for the Blues.
Chelsea hadn’t conceded a league goal since September 24, but Christian Eriksen fired Tottenham ahead in the 11th minute with a ferocious long-range strike.
Despite being outplayed for much of the first half, Chelsea went back to the dressing room on level terms thanks to a sublime curling effort from Pedro just before the interval.
In the 51st minute, Diego Costa picked out Victor Moses at the far post and his shot was deflected into the net off Jan Vertonghen as Chelsea ended Tottenham’s 12-match unbeaten league run.
“These games are difficult, It was a tough game with a lot of intensity,” Conte said.
“It’s important to continue in this way and improve the confidence. It’s too early to talk of the title. This league is very tough.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino added: “If we analyse the game, we were better. All the stats are for us but football is not just about stats. You need to be clinical and score.”
Earlier, Sergio Aguero scored two scruffy goals as City saw off Burnley and Liverpool followed suit by downing Sunderland with goals from Divock Origi and James Milner after losing Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho to a worrying injury.

 

Chelsea down Spurs as City, Liverpool keep pace

AFP, LONDON: Chelsea fought back for a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur that cemented their place on top of the Premier League, while title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool kept pace with the leaders on Saturday. Antonio Contes Chelsea had been knocked out of pole position by Citys 2-1 win at Burnley and Liverpools 2-0 success against Sunderland earlier in the afternoon. But they regained their one-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who are level on points with third-placed City, thanks to a gritty London derby success at Stamford Bridge that made it seven successive league wins for the Blues. Chelsea hadnt conceded a league goal since September 24, but Christian Eriksen fired Tottenham ahead in the 11th minute with a ferocious long-range strike. Despite being outplayed for much of the first half, Chelsea went back to the dressing room on level terms thanks to a sublime curling effort from Pedro just before the interval. In the 51st minute, Diego Costa picked out Victor Moses at the far post and his shot was deflected into the net off Jan Vertonghen as Chelsea ended Tottenhams 12-match unbeaten league run. These games are difficult, It was a tough game with a lot of intensity, Conte said. Its important to continue in this way and improve the confidence. Its too early to talk of the title. This league is very tough. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino added: If we analyse the game, we were better. All the stats are for us but football is not just about stats. You need to be clinical and score. Earlier, Sergio Aguero scored two scruffy goals as City saw off Burnley and Liverpool followed suit by downing Sunderland with goals from Divock Origi and James Milner after losing Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho to a worrying injury.