The defeat for Tottenham Hotspur to West Ham United in the latest round of fixtures has all but gifted Chelsea the Premier League title.
For the first time in a few months, Spurs were given the chance to put pressure on the league leaders by playing before the Blues on Friday evening. However, a single second half goal from Manuel Lanzini saw the Hammers end Mauricio Pochettino’s side’ six-game winning run and give Chelsea the opportunity to clinch the league with two more victories.
But Antonio Conte’s Blues now need just one win to lift the title having beaten Middlesbrough on Monday Night Football. Diego Costa, Marcos Alonso and Nemanja Matic all scored to give the London side a chance to secure the league with another three points when they play West Bromwich Albion on Friday. The result also meant that Middlesbrough became the second club to suffer relegation this season, joining Sunderland in next season’s Championship. The class of Conte shone through once again as he spoke to Boro players after the game and appaluded the travelling fans.
Elsewhere, Manchester City recorded their biggest win of the season with a 5-0 win against Crystal Palace. An early David Silva goal gave the Citizens the lead but a makeshift Eagles side held firm until four minutes into the second half when Vincent Kompany rifled home. Three further goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Otamendi secured the emphatic success. Sam Allardyce’s side can still confirm safety with a point against Hull City next week.
Arsenal’s chances of sparking a late surge into the top four were given a boost with an impressive 2-0 win against Manchester United. Granit Xhaka and former Red Devil Danny Welbeck scored the goals in a game that Jose Mourinho claimed had ended his side’s own top four prospects.
West Brom earned their first point since 1 April with an exciting 2-2 draw at Burnley. Salomon Rondon and Craig Dawson cancelled out Sam Vokes’ opener, but the Wales striker equalised for the Clarets late on to earn his side a share of the points.
Leicester City could be forced to hand back the Premier League title within the next week but their good form continued thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win against Watford. Wilfred Ndidi opened the scoring in the first half before Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton added two further goals in the second period for the Foxes, who finally moved into the top half.
Bournemouth and Stoke City confirmed their top-flight status for next season as they drew 2-2 at Vitality Stadium. The Cherries were twice forced to equalise through Junior Stanislas and a Ryan Shawcross own goal, after a Lys Mousset own goal and Mame Biram Diouf had twice put the visitors ahead.
Hull’s undefeated home record under Marco Silva finally came to an end in shocking fashion, losing 2-0 to already relegated Sunderland – a result that worsens the Tigers’ predicament. Billy Jones and Jermain Defoe both netted in the second half to put Silva’s side a point from safety.
The Tigers’ defeat meant Swansea City climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to an excellent 1-0 win against Everton. Fernando Llorente headed home the only goal of the game in the first half to lift the Swans above Hull.
Finally, Liverpool and Southampton played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield, a result which could hamper the Reds’ chances of finishing in the top four if their poor home form continues. James Milner had the best chance of the game but saw his penalty saved by former Newcastle United and England teammate, Fraser Forster.
