Rooney extends United lead as City slip up

Wayne Rooney's 16th goal of the season was enough to send Manchester United 15 points clear with just nine games left in the Barclays Premier League title race.

Sunday 17th March 2013

Rooney's deflected first-half effort saw off a dogged Reading outfit, who worked hard but lacked the class to fashion an equaliser.

The Royals now look certainties for relegation, sliding seven points adrift of safety with one game fewer than United to save themselves.

Reigning champions Manchester City fell further off the pace with a 2-0 defeat at 10-man Everton.

Leon Osman and Nikica Jelavic struck in either half for the Toffees, who had Steven Pienaar dismissed after picking up two yellow cards.

There was controversy late on as City should have been awarded a penalty for a Marouane Fellaini handball with the scoreline at 1-0.

But, although referee Lee Probert spotted Fellaini's misdemeanour, he only gave a free-kick with replays showing the Belgium international was well inside the area when he blocked Carlos Tevez's strike.

Aston Villa gave their survival hopes another huge boost after winning an enthralling encounter against fellow strugglers QPR.

Villa, who beat Reading last time out, fell behind but eventually ran out 3-2 winners to open up a six-point gap on the bottom three, while Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Jermaine Jenas struck his second goal in as many games to give Harry Redknapp's side the lead at Villa Park but Gabriel Agbonlahor's header levelled matters on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts had been on the back foot for much of the game but found themselves in front when Andreas Weimann struck on the hour.

QPR showed their new-found belief under Redknapp and equalised through Andros Townsend before Christian Benteke scored a vital winner for Paul Lambert's side - his 17th goal of the season.

Southampton recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Liverpool at St Mary's in a game they dominated for large periods.

The hosts opened the scoring early on through Morgan Schneiderlin and Liverpool-born Rickie Lambert should have doubled Southampton's advantage but shot straight at Brad Jones before the striker saw a deflected free-kick make it 2-0 12 minutes before the break.

Philippe Coutinho cut Liverpool's deficit before the break but Jay Rodriguez scored a tremendous individual effort to wrap up the points and Mauricio Pochettino's second win since replacing Nigel Adkins as Saints' manager.

Arsenal closed to within two points of the Champions League places with a 2-0 win at Capital One Cup winners Swansea.

A first Arsenal goal for left-back Nacho Monreal and a strike from substitute Gervinho secured the three points after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rattled the crossbar twice for Arsene Wenger's side in the first half.

Stoke and West Brom shared a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Sunday's Premier League Preview

Eden Hazard believes a Chelsea victory over West Ham on Sunday is imperative as the Blues seek to finish the season on a high.

Last season's Champions League winners will bid to carry the momentum from a successful week into the Barclays Premier League clash after keeping alive their two remaining quests for silverware.

Chelsea fought back from two goals down to draw with Manchester United and force an FA Cup quarter-final replay, which - coupled with their progression to the Europa League quarter-finals, where Russians Rubin Kazan await - means Rafael Benitez's side face six games in 16 days.

The international break which follows Sunday's derby with the Hammers offers a pause for breath but first the Blues will seek to enhance their place in the top four as they bid to secure Champions League qualification.

"Three points are a must for us on Sunday - we need to win the match," Hazard, who scored in the Old Trafford fightback, said on Chelsea's official website.

"Chelsea are a big club - we have to win titles and to qualify for the Champions League. There's a lot to do but we'll try to do it all."

Hazard believes the close proximity of last night's 3-1 win over Steaua Bucharest, which secured a place in the Europa League last eight 3-2 on aggregate, could benefit Chelsea against a Hammers side who will be playing just their second match of the month.

"It might favour us at the start of the game because we should be able to set the tempo and get into our stride quicker because we've been more used to playing competitive games recently," Hazard said.

"But where it might favour them slightly is the fact that towards the end of the game tiredness may set in for us, while in effect they should be stronger because they've had a bit of a rest.

"It's something we have to deal with, and with the support of our fans behind us I'm sure we will be able to."

Chelsea suffered the first defeat of Benitez's tenure at Upton Park in December, despite entering half-time leading 1-0.

"At Upton Park, one or two errors crept in, particularly during the second half, but we were very good in the first half," Hazard said.

"We need to try to repeat that first-half display on Sunday and make sure we get a positive result. We are going into the game in good form, so we should be able to produce a strong performance."

"On Saturday, if we are not at it, we are going to face a really difficult team, which is Swansea away from home."

Another London derby also takes place on Sunday, with Tottenham hosting Fulham, while, in other matches, Sunderland play Norwich and Wigan will turn their attentions back to trying to preserve their league status when they host Newcastle.

Saturday's Barclays Premier League Results

Everton 2-0 Man City

Livid Mancini blanks media after Everton loss

Aston Villa 3-2 QPR

Redknapp keeps the faith despite crucial loss

Southampton 3-1 Liverpool

Rodgers rues "poor day at the office"

Player Ratings

Stoke 0-0 West Brom

Pulis frustrated by goal-shy Stoke

Swansea 0-2 Arsenal

Wenger proud of Arsenal passion