Premier League: Spurs held by Liverpool in Anfield thriller as Arsenal and Man City loom

Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to ratchet the pressure up on Premier League leaders Leicester City after being held to an entertaining draw by Liverpool at Anfield. Philippe Coutinho put the hosts ahead six minutes after the break before Harry Kane netted his 22<sup>nd top flight goal of the campaign with a brilliant strike to claim a point.

The draw means Spurs close the gap to Claudio Ranieri's team to four points but the Foxes can extend their advantage at the top to seven with victory over Southampton on Sunday [3 April]. Both Arsenal and Manchester City will also be following the result closely after claiming heavy wins to keep their title dream flickering.

Arsene Wenger's team went within four points of north London rivals Tottenham as they thrashed Watford to avenge their FA Cup defeat earlier in the campaign. Alex Sanchez opened the scoring after just four minutes before Alex Iwobi doubled the lead seven minutes before the break. Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott put the garnish on the win with second half goals as the Gunners ended a run of three straight home defeats.

City warmed up for their Champions League last eight first leg against Paris Saint Germain by thumping AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Fernando, the returning Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero put the visitors three up inside 19 minutes prior to Aleksandar Kolarov lashing home a fourth in stoppage time.

West Ham United lost ground on the top four as Crystal Palace eased their relegation fears by coming from behind to draw at Upton Park. Damien Delaney and Manuel Lanzini exchanged early goals before Dimitri Payet scored a breath-taking free-kick to put the Hammers ahead for the first time. The home side were reduced to 10-men after Cheikhou Kouyate was sent off for a foul on Dwight Gayle, who went on to grab the equaliser.

At the bottom, Norwich City pulled four points clear of the relegation zone with a late win over fellow-strugglers Newcastle United who are now deep in the mire after defeat at Carrow Road. Timm Klose and Dieumerci Mbokani twice put the Canaries ahead only for Aleksandar Mitrovic to equaliser on both occasions, the second from the penalty spot. But Martin Olsson grabbed all three points for Alex Neil's with a 93<sup>rd minute strike to leave the Toon six points from safety.

Sunderland remain deep in trouble after they failed to make their dominance pay as they were held by West Bromwich Albion. Baggies stopper Ben Foster was in inspired form, denying Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini as the Black Cats failed to net from any of their 22 attempts on goal.

Swansea City are 10 points above the bottom three after coming from two down to draw with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. Mark Hughes' side, on course for their best ever top flight finish, went ahead through Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan, but were pegged back in the second half. Gylfi Sigurdsson halved the deficit before Alberto Paloschi struck 11 minutes from time.

In the lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park, Aston Villa were thrust on the precipice of having their long-awaited relegation to the Championship confirmed after being thumped by Chelsea. Ruben Loftus-Cheek netted his maiden top flight goal before substitute Alexandre Pato marked his first Blues appearance with a successful penalty. Pedro struck twice after the break and Alan Hutton was sent off as the gloom around the Midlands club continued.

Premier League results:

Aston Villa 0-4 Chelsea, Arsenal 4-0 Watford, AFC Bournemouth 0-4 Manchester City, Norwich City 3-2 Newcastle United, Stoke City 2-2 Swansea City, Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United 2-2 Crystal Palace, Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur