Tottenham Hotspur dropped two vital points in the Premier League title race in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

Liverpool opened the scoring six minutes into the second half when Daniel Sturridge found Philippe Coutinho, whose right-footed effort sailed past Hugo Lloris.

Spurs needed a superb goal from Harry Kane, his 22nd in the Premier League this season, to take a point from an end-to-end game at Anfield.

Kane was indebted to Christian Eriksen, who expertly hooked the ball from the byline and into the England international's path. Kane then slammed the ball past Simon Mignolet with a clinical right-footed strike to level things at 1-1.

Neither side could find a winner, and while Spurs cut down the gap behind leaders Leicester to four points, Claudio Ranieri's men can extend that to seven with victory at home to Southampton on Sunday.

Arsenal closed the gap on second-placed Tottenham Hotspur to three points after an impressive 4-0 win over Watford at Emirates Stadium.

Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal the lead after just four minutes when his header from an Alex Iwobi cross was parried into his path by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, allowing the Chile international to tap in at the second attempt.

Iwobi was on hand to make it 2-0 to the Gunners before half-time, driving the ball into the back of the net after running on to Sanchez's cutback.

It took after just three minutes of the second half to extend their advantage, Hector Bellerin's shot deflecting off Ben Watson to leave Gomes wrong-footed.

The gloss was put on Arsenal's victory when Theo Walcott tucked home from Joel Campbell's low cross.

Manchester City bounced back from their derby loss to rivals United as they comfortably beat Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

Fernando put City in front in the seventh minute, volleying in emphatically past goalkeeper Artur Boruc following Jesus Navas' corner.

Kevin De Bruyne, making his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury on Jan. 27., made it 2-0 when he brilliantly finished after being teed up by David Silva.

On 19 minutes, Sergio Aguero put a rampant City 3-0 up, heading in at the back post from Navas' cross.

Aleksandar Kolarov completed a comprehensive triumph for Manuel Pellegrini's men, thumping in left-footed after receiving Samir Nasri's pass.

Alexandre Pato scored on his Chelsea debut as the Blues beat bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa 4-0 in the lunchtime kickoff.

Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Ruben Loftus-Cheek slotted in from inside the box after a cross from the right by Cesar Azpilicueta.

After coming on for the injured Loic Remy, Pato won a penalty which he subsequently scored from before half-time to double the Blues' lead.

Pedro made it 3-0 just 48 seconds into the second half when he tucked in from close range after good work by substitute Oscar.

The Spain international grabbed his second of the game when pouncing on goalkeeper Brad Guzan's parry, before Alan Hutton was handed his marching orders with five minutes left to play.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's brace was not enough for Newcastle United as a late goal from Martin Olsson clinched a huge 3-2 win for fellow strugglers Norwich City at Carrow Road.

After seeing an Dieumerci Mbokani effort ruled out for offside, Norwich did break the deadlock before half-time when Timm Klose headed in from Robbie Brady's free kick.

Newcastle levelled in the 71st minute when Mitrovic headed powerfully home from Andros Townsend's delivery.

But Norwich retook the lead just three minutes later when Mbokani let fly with an unstoppable effort that flashed past goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

There was yet another twist in the 86th minute when Gary O'Neil was penalised for a handball in the box, with Mitrovic stepping up to convert from the spot and make it 2-2.

With seconds remaining, Olsson drove home to seal a massive three points against Rafa Benitez's side.

West Ham United are now unbeaten in six top-flight games but were unable to clinch all three points as they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace, who are still without a league win since Dec. 19.

Damien Delaney put Palace ahead in the 15th minute when he nodded home after Bakary Sako's delivery had only been half cleared by goalkeeper Adrian.

It took West Ham just three minutes to hit back as Manuel Lanzini lashed in from close range after he reacted quickest to Diafra Sakho's knock down.

West Ham's turnaround was complete before half-time when Dimitri Payet executed another incredible free kick for his ninth top-flight goal of the season.

The Hammers were reduced to 10 men with 23 minutes remaining when Cheikhou Kouyate went in on Dwight Gayle with his studs showing.

And Palace made their numerical advantage pay when Gayle tapped in after a defensive mix up from the home team.

Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as Swansea City salvaged a pointed in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Ibrahim Afellay scored on his 30th birthday to make it 1-0, heading in from Marko Arnautovic's cross.

Eight minutes into the second half Bojan Krkic made it 2-0 to Stoke, driving in a low shot from outside of the box.

Swansea pulled a goal back on 68 minutes when Gylfi Sigurdsson found the back of the net after he got on the end of Wayne Routledge's cross.

And the comeback was complete with 10 minutes left on the clock when substitute Alberto Paloschi's shot deflected beyond goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard.

Elsewhere, Sunderland remain in the relegation zone after only managing a goalless draw in their meeting with West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light.

The result leaves Sunderland 18th in the table, four points behind Norwich but with a game in hand.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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