Premier League: Leicester go top as Aguero inspires City and Terry saves Chelsea
Leicester City took their chance to return to the top of the Premier League table but were held by Midlands rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park. Shinji Okazaki gave the visitors the lead but Riyad Mahrez's second penalty miss of the season proved costly as Rudy Gustede netted with 15 minutes remaining. Claudio Ranieri's side will remain top should Arsenal fail to beat Stoke City on Sunday [17 January].
Manchester City have also leapfrogged the Gunners on goal difference after consigning Crystal Palace to their third straight league defeat with a heavy win at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero netted a double before setting up David Silva after Fabian Delph had opened the scoring from range as Alan Pardew's Eagles failed to score for a fifth game in a row.
Tottenham Hotspur remain in pursuit of the trio after bouncing back from their loss to Leicester in midweek with the thrashing of Sunderland. Patrick van Aanholt opened the scoring after Adam Johnson's pass but the goal merely opened the floodgates.
Lee Cattermole failed to clean from Christian Eriksen's strike and in the second half the introduction of debutant Jan Kirchhoff – signed from Bayern Munich in the week – sparked a dramatic collapse. Mousa Demebele put Spurs ahead before Eriksen's shot from range deflected off the German and beyond Jordan Pickford, making his maiden top flight appearance.
Kirchhoff's disastrous debut was capped when he fouled Danny Rose in the area late on, allowing Harry Kane to stroke home his 12<sup>th league goal of the season from the penalty spot. Victory gives Tottenham a grip on fourth and keeps them very much in the title hunt, while the Black Cats remain in the bottom three.
West Ham United lost ground on the top four however after seeing their eight-match unbeaten league run ended as Newcastle United climbed out of the bottom three for the first time since August. Steve McClaren's side scored twice in the opening quarter of an hour through Ajoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum at St James' Park, and though Chancel Mbemba's poor back pass was capitalised upon by Nikica Jelavic the Hammers were unable to complete the comeback.
Benik Afobe marked his full AFC Bournemouth debut with a goal as the Cherries beat fellow relegation candidates Norwich City at the Vitality Stadium. Dan Gosling and Charlie Daniels from the spot put Eddie Howe's side on course before Afobe's big moment condemned the Canaries to a third straight loss on the road.
Everton were denied a first win at Stamford Bridge for 22 years following a controversial last gasp John Terry equaliser which kept Guus Hiddink's unbeaten run in his second spell as Chelsea manager intact after a six-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge. Following a poor first half the game came alive after the break with Terry's own goal and Kevin Mirallas' crafty finish put Roberto Martinez's men on course for a famous win.
The Blues stormed back into the game as Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas laid on goals for each other but substitute Ramiro Funes Mori looked to have given the Toffees victory after connecting with Gerard Delofeu's cross. But beyond seven minutes of added time and while in an offside position Terry reacted first to flick past Tim Howard.
Southampton confirmed the signing of Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers before kick-off against West Bromwich Albion but they were far from goal-shy as they swept aside Tony Pulis' team. James Ward-Prowse scored a fine free-kick prior to tucking home a penalty for his first goals of the season, with Dusan Tadic confirming the win with a late third.
Premier League results:
Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Sunderland, AFC Bournemouth 3-0 Norwich City, Chelsea 3-3 Everton, Manchester City 4-0 Crystal Palace, Newcastle united 2-1 West Ham United, Southampton 3-0 West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa 1-1 Leicester City.
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