Giants flex muscles in England

AFP, LONDON: Cesc Fabregas’s goal earned Chelsea a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Wednesday — their 10th in succession — as Antonio Conte’s side surged six points clear at the Premier League summit.
Fabregas, who came in for Nemanja Matic, curled in from Willian’s 40th-minute cut-back to establish Chelsea’s longest winning run within the same league campaign since 2005-06.
There were also wins for Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 88th-minute strike earned Manchester United a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Chelsea, for whom Eden Hazard missed out due to a knock, have won all 10 league games they gave played since losing 3-0 at Arsenal on September 24, keeping eight clean sheets.
But it took a flying save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to prevent Patrick van Aanholt snatching a point for bottom club Sunderland at the death.
Conte’s men are six points clear of Liverpool, who stole above Arsenal into second place courtesy of a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough in which Adam Lallana scored twice.
Having seen his side beaten 4-3 at Bournemouth and then held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dropped goalkeeper Lorus Karius for Simon Mignolet.
His team went ahead in the 29th minute when Lallana headed in from England team-mate Nathaniel Clyne’s right-wing cross.
Lallana teed up Divock Origi to add a second on the hour and eight minutes later the Belgian returned the favour as Lallana claimed his second goal.
Liverpool moved above Arsenal on goal difference, Arsene Wenger’s side having lost 2-1 at Everton on Tuesday.
In further bad news for Arsenal, City, Tottenham and United all closed in on them.
Pep Guardiola’s City hit back after successive defeats against Chelsea and champions Leicester City by winning 2-0 at home to Watford.
Guardiola, who dropped John Stones and reverted 
to a back four, saw his side prevail thanks to goals in each half by Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva.

Giants flex muscles in England

AFP, LONDON: Cesc Fabregass goal earned Chelsea a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Wednesday their 10th in succession as Antonio Contes side surged six points clear at the Premier League summit. Fabregas, who came in for Nemanja Matic, curled in from Willians 40th-minute cut-back to establish Chelseas longest winning run within the same league campaign since 2005-06. There were also wins for Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, while Zlatan Ibrahimovics 88th-minute strike earned Manchester United a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. Chelsea, for whom Eden Hazard missed out due to a knock, have won all 10 league games they gave played since losing 3-0 at Arsenal on September 24, keeping eight clean sheets. But it took a flying save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to prevent Patrick van Aanholt snatching a point for bottom club Sunderland at the death. Contes men are six points clear of Liverpool, who stole above Arsenal into second place courtesy of a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough in which Adam Lallana scored twice. Having seen his side beaten 4-3 at Bournemouth and then held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dropped goalkeeper Lorus Karius for Simon Mignolet. His team went ahead in the 29th minute when Lallana headed in from England team-mate Nathaniel Clynes right-wing cross. Lallana teed up Divock Origi to add a second on the hour and eight minutes later the Belgian returned the favour as Lallana claimed his second goal. Liverpool moved above Arsenal on goal difference, Arsene Wengers side having lost 2-1 at Everton on Tuesday. In further bad news for Arsenal, City, Tottenham and United all closed in on them. Pep Guardiolas City hit back after successive defeats against Chelsea and champions Leicester City by winning 2-0 at home to Watford. Guardiola, who dropped John Stones and reverted to a back four, saw his side prevail thanks to goals in each half by Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva.