Premier League Round-Up: Leicester seal third straight win, United triumph in Manchester derby and Southampton stun Liverpool

Leicester City took another step closer to the Premier League title after a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Riyad Mahrez struck the only goal of the game just after the half hour mark when he converted Jamie Vardy’s low cross for his 16th goal of the season. The win means the Foxes maintain their five-point lead at the top with just seven games remaining, whilst Palace remain winless in 2016 and just seven points above the drop zone.

Algeria international Riyad Mahrez has now scored 17 goals in all competitions this season.

Tottenham stayed in touch with Leicester at the top after their comfortable 3-0 win over Bournemouth at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane netted twice in the first 16 minutes to put the hosts in a dominant position before Christian Eriksen capped things off in the second-half. Spurs remain five points adrift in second, whereas the Cherries stay 13th with after their first defeat in four games.

Manchester United triumphed 1-0 over rivals City in a vital Manchester derby to move within a point of the top four. Marcus Rashford scored a wonderful strike after 16 minutes that proved to be the difference for Louis van Gaal’s side to move them to within a point of City, who sit in fourth place with just one win from their last six and surely now out of the title race as they sit 15 points off the top.

Arsenal stayed in the title hunt with a comfortable 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. A wonderful team goal finished by Danny Welbeck put the Gunners ahead after just seven minutes, before a first Premier League goal for Alex Iwobi just before half-time sealed the win. Arsene Wenger’s men stay third, 11 points off the top whereas the Toffees stay 12th.

In the Tyne-Wear derby, the points were shared as Newcastle and Sunderland drew 1-1 at St. James’ Park. Jermain Defoe’s close-range volley put the visitors ahead in the first-half, but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s header late on rescued a point for Rafa Benitez’s side. The point leaves both sides in the bottom three and is a third successive draw for the Black Cats, whilst it extends the Magpies’ winless run to five games.

After their thrilling comeback against Liverpool, Southampton are now just four points outside the Premier League’s top four.

Southampton stunned Liverpool as they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at St. Mary’s Stadium. The visitors were two goals ahead at half-time thanks to goals from Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge. Sadio Mane missed a penalty after the break, but redeemed himself by pulling one back, before a stunning two-minute spell saw Saints steal the game late on as Graziano Pelle struck before Mane bagged the winner. Ronald Koeman’s side stay seventh, whilst Jurgen Klopp’s men drop to ninth.

Norwich secured a vital win at the bottom of the table as they beat West Brom 1-0 at the Hawthorns. Robbie Brady’s close-range finish five minutes into the second-half proved to be enough for the Canaries to secure their first win since the beginning of January. Alex Neil’s men move out of the relegation zone with that victory, whereas Albion stay 11th.

Chelsea twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. Manuel Lanzini’s stunning effort put the visitors ahead before Cesc Fabregas’ equally spectacular free-kick levelled things. Andy Carroll came off the bench to put the Hammers back ahead with his first touch, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek was fouled in the last minute of normal time and Fabregas was on-hand to score from the penalty spot. Slaven Bilic’s men stay fifth, just one point outside the top four whilst Chelsea stay tenth.

Watford’s poor run of form continued as they were beaten 2-1 by Stoke at Vicarage Road. Jonathan Walters put the Potters ahead from Phil Bardsley’s cross before Joselu exquisitely lobbed in a second shortly after half-time. Troy Deeney did pull one back for the home side late on but it wasn’t enough to prevent a third straight defeat to leave them in 14th, whereas Mark Hughes’ men move up to eighth.

And finally Swansea City all but secured their Premier League safety with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Federico Fernandez bundled the ball in after Brad Guzan missed Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick to take the Swans up to 15th and ten points clear of the drop zone, whilst Villa remain bottom and now 12 points from safety.

Player of the Weekend: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Team of the Weekend: Southampton
Goal of the Weekend: Cesc Fabregas (CHELSEA vs West Ham United)