Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points courtesy of a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday.

Cesc Fabregas’ excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area five minutes from time turned out to be the winner for Antonio Conte’s men, who in turn recorded a tenth successive league win.

Arsenal’s defeat on Tuesday meant that Liverpool moved up to second following a 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough, with Adam Lallana’s brace and a Divock Origi strike enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side to get back to winning ways after a tricky few weeks.

Manchester City are now just a point behind Arsene Wenger’s Gunners after securing their first home league win since September 17 against Watford, while Tottenham remain just three points behind Pep Guardiola’s men after they dispatched Hull 3-0 at White Hart Lane.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Manchester United kept the pressure on the top five with victory at Crystal Palace, while West Brom leapfrogged Everton into seventh after Salomon Rondon’s hat-trick inspired the Baggies to a 3-1 win over struggling Swansea.

Slaven Bilic’s West Ham secured a vital 1-0 win over Burnley to go four points clear of the bottom three, while Southampton moved up to ninth after drawing 0-0 at Stoke.

In what was an exciting evening of Premier League action, here is What’s Hot and What’s Not from yesterday’s eight matches…

HOT – Cesc Fabregas and Chelsea

Photo: Charlotte Wilson

Chelsea recorded a tenth successive Premier League win at Sunderland on Wednesday, with Fabregas’ first league goal of the campaign enough to see off David Moyes’ men.

And it has been Fabregas’ influence in recent weeks which has been particularly impressive, especially given he played just 55 minutes of Premier League action prior to starting at Manchester City two weeks ago.

However, the Spaniard provided the assist for Diego Costa’s fine goal against City, and came on to great effect against West Brom last weekend.

His first goal of the season epitomised his return to the side, and he could be set to star in the Chelsea midfield for many weeks to come.

NOT – Hull City

Photo: Mark Leech

Another away defeat, and no win in their last five Premier League matches, Hull are on the longest winless run of any side in the top-flight.

Although they are picking up points at the KCOM Stadium, Mike Phelan’s side have not picked up an away point since September 10, when they drew 1-1 at Burnley.

Since then, it has been six defeats on the spin for the Tigers, and they will need to improve on that form fast if they are to avoid the drop.

And with trips to West Ham and West Brom coming up, before games at Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the next few weeks are crucial for Hull in their quest to stay up this season.

HOT – Salomon Rondon

Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Salomon Rondon’s outstanding hat-trick inspired West Brom to a 3-1 win over Swansea on Wednesday, a result which moves them up to seventh in the Premier League table.

The Venezuelan international took his tally to seven for the season with three headers against the Swans, and it now means that he has scored five goals and assisted two others in his last six home games.

Tony Pulis will be hoping that his striker continues his excellent form over the Christmas period, as the Baggies look to potentially challenge for a European spot.

NOT – Middlesbrough

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Aitor Karanka’s side have scored just once in their last three league games, and are the lowest scorers in the Premier League with just 13 goals thus far.

However, they shipped three at home to Liverpool on Wednesday and, although many sides will concede three against the Reds this season, they showed little threat going the other way.

Karanka’s men have been difficult to beat at home this season, but if they are to be undone defensively, then they need an outlet at the other end, which they haven’t got at the moment.

They dropped to 17th as a result of yesterday’s game, just three points above the bottom three.