Premier League round-up: City still fighting for title despite United’s healthy lead

Manchester City kept their faint hopes of regaining their Premier League crown with a vital 2-0 win over Chelsea at the Etihad. Runaway leaders Manchester United had put further pressure on City, by winning 2-0 at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers.

Manchester United continued their fine season, with a well-earned victory at basement club QPR. A wonder strike from Rafael gave the league leaders a first-half lead and the match was wrapped up thanks to United legend Ryan Giggs.

It put great pressure on rivals Manchester City, who knew defeat to Chelsea would all but end their quest for glory.

Manchester City ended a Super Sunday against Chelsea and was thankful to Joe Hart for keeping the game at 0-0. The England goalkeeper went from hero to villain in a matter of seconds. After tumbling over Demba Ba, Hart was equal to Frank Lampard’s traditional low and hard drive into the far left corner.

Goals from YaYa Toure and Carlos Tevez were enough to see off a poor Chelsea side and ensured that the blue half of Manchester still had a faint hope of catching their rivals.

Earlier on in the day, Newcastle United overcame Southampton 4-2 at St. James’ Park. Morgan Schneiderlin had given the Saints an early lead on Tyneside – only to go in at the break 2-1 down after Moussa Sissoko equalised and Pappis Cissé put the Magpies ahead with a stunning 25-yard strike.

Rickie Lambert equalised for Southampton but goals from Yohan Cabaye and an own goal from Jos Hooiveld wrapped up a vital victory for a struggling Newcastle side.

Arsenal left it late to defeat Aston Villa. Two goals from Santi Cazorla spared Arsene Wenger yet more blushes as they kept up the chase on the top four with a 2-1 victory. Norwich City won by the same scoreline, overcoming Everton 2-1 at Carrow Road.

Elsewhere, Wigan ran riot at Reading with a 3-0 victory that looked effortless and West Brom heaped more pressure on underachieving Sunderland, with Romelu Lukaku scoring twice to further enhance the Baggies chance of making the Europa League spot.

Fulham won narrowly against Stoke City, as Dimitar Berbatov showed his class with a superb volley to grab the three points at Craven Cottage.

Not one draw in this weekend’s action with Swansea City also claiming a 5-0 victory in the Capital One Cup. The Swans gave minnows Bradford City little joy as they cruised to their first major trophy in 100 years.  

Thomas Bradley, football correspondent