LONDON (AP) – Chelsea extended their Premier League Football lead to seven points by beating Aston Villa 2-1 on Saturday as Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Hull.
Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic netted for Chelsea, either side of Jores Okore’s header for Villa, which ended a goal drought of 11 hours for Paul Lambert’s team.
It is the first time Jose Mourinho has won as Chelsea manager against Villa in the Premier League at Villa Park.
Defending champions City needed a last-minute free kick from midfielder James Milner to salvage a point at home to Hull after David Meyler had surprisingly put the visitors ahead in the first half.
City have now gone four games in the league without winning and manager Manuel Pellegrini conceded that Saturday’s result makes his side’s hopes of retaining the title harder.
Elsewhere, Tottenham came from behind to beat fierce north London rival Arsenal 2-1 in the day’s early game thanks to two goals from striker Harry Kane.
Germany international Mesut Ozil lashed a volley past Hugo Lloris after 11 minutes to give Arsenal the lead. However, Arsene Wenger’s side immediately sat back and invited pressure from Tottenham, while looking to strike on the counterattack.
Kane converted a rebound on 56 minutes after Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina made a brilliant save to keep out Mousa Dembele’s header, before leaping highest to nod in Nabil Bentaleb’s cross four minutes from the end.
Liverpool could not break down a stubborn Everton defence at Goodison Park as Saturday’s late kick-off ended goalless.
The result meant that Brendan Rodgers’ side lost ground on the top four, as Southampton’s Champions League push continued with a 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers.
Sadio Mane scored the winner for Ronald Koeman’s side in the 90th minute.
Crystal Palace’s resurgence under new manager Alan Pardew continued as they beat Leicester 1-0, while Swansea drew 1-1 with Sunderland.