Premier League Round-Up: Leicester take another step closer towards the title, Tottenham keep chase and West Ham stun Arsenal

Leicester City moved to within three wins of a historic Premier League title with a 2-0 win over relegation threatened Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Jamie Vardy’s 20th goal of the season broke the deadlock midway through the second-half when he raced onto a Danny Drinkwater ball and his 21st settled it in injury-time after he rounded goalkeeper Vito Mannone. The Foxes stay seven points clear at the top with five games remaining, whilst the Black Cats remain in the bottom three, four points from safety.

Striker Vardy scored twice against Sunderland to keep Leicester seven points clear at the top of the table – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Tottenham kept hold of second spot as a blistering five minute second-half spell saw them beat Manchester United 3-0 at White Hart Lane. Dele Alli put the hosts ahead with 20 minutes remaining and within five minutes Spurs had tripled their lead through Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela. They remain seven points behind leaders Leicester, whilst United slip four points adrift in the race for the top four.

Arsenal’s slim title hopes were dealt a blow as they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham at Upton Park. The Gunners led 2-0 through goals from Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez before two goals in three minutes from Andy Carroll had the game all square at half-time. Carroll put the Hammers ahead shortly after the break to complete his hat-trick before Laurent Koscielny levelled the game once again to ensure the sides shared the spoils. Arsenal stay third and now sit 13 points off the top with just six games left, whilst West Ham stay sixth, now five points off the top four.

Crystal Palace secured a vital 1-0 win over Norwich at Selhurst Park for their first league win since December 2015. Jason Puncheon netted the only goal of the game with a fine strike midway through the second-half to take Palace ten points clear of the drop zone, whilst the Canaries stay four points above the bottom three.

Manchester City stayed on course for a top four finish with a hard-fought 2-1 win over West Brom at the Etihad. The visitors took a surprise lead through a Stephane Sessegnon strike, but Sergio Aguero equalised from the penalty spot. Samir Nasri netted the winner on his return from injury in the second-half to take City four points clear in fourth, whereas Albion slip to 13th.

Pelle’s strike against Newcastle helped the Italy international move onto double figures for the Premier League season (10) – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Southampton beat Newcastle 3-1 at St. Mary’s to edge the Magpies closer to relegation. Goals from Shane Long and Graziano Pelle had Saints 2-0 up by half-time, before Victor Wanyama made it three after the break. Andros Townsend netted a stunning consolation for Rafa Benitez’s side, but they remain six points adrift with six games to play, whilst Saints stay seventh with a third win from their last four.

Liverpool thumped Stoke 4-1 at Anfield to move above them in the table. Alberto Moreno’s strike put the Reds ahead early before Bojan’s free header brought the visitors level. Daniel Sturridge put the home side back ahead before Divock Origi came off the bench at half-time to net a brace in the second-half to seal a comfortable win. Jurgen Klopp’s men move up to eighth, whilst the Potters slip to ninth after one win in their last five.

Bournemouth beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, but Villa were spared relegation thanks to other results. Steve Cook’s close-range finish put the Cherries ahead on the stroke of half-time from a short corner. Josh King capitalised on a defensive mix-up to seal it before a Jordan Ayew consolation with five minutes left. Eddie Howe’s men move up to 11th whereas Villa will be relegated next weekend with a defeat.

Swansea beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium to end Guus Hiddink’s unbeaten run in the league. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s volley after 25 minutes for his ninth goal in 2016 proved to be enough to secure the points for the Swans to take them up to 12th, whereas Chelsea stay tenth and surrender their their 15-game unbeaten run.

Watford and Everton drew 1-1 at Vicarage Road. James McCarthy gave the visitors the lead with a smart finish after stealing the ball from Miguel Britos, but just two minutes later, Jose Holebas headed in at the far-post. Everton drop to 14th and are winless in four, whilst the Hornets drop to 15th and are winless in their last six.

Player of the Weekend: Andy Carroll (West Ham United)
Team of the Weekend: Swansea City
Goal of the Weekend: Andros Townsend (Southampton vs NEWCASTLE UNITED)