Leicester City's Riyad
Mahrez scored a
brilliant goal to earn a
1-0 win at Watford
that sent them five
points clear at the top
of the Premier League
after Tottenham
Hotspur drew 2-2
with 10-man Arsenal
on Saturday.
Manchester City revived their fading title
hopes with a 4-0 rout of bottom club Aston
Villa and the pressure mounted on
Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren
after a 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth.
Leicester dominated the first half against
Watford but were unable to breach a
disciplined defence until the 56th minute
when Mahrez produced a moment of class
with a fine strike from the edge of the
penalty area.
"It was very tough, we knew coming here
would be a tough ask," Leicester goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel told Sky Sports.
"Riyad has come up with a bit of magic so
we are delighted," he added. "I think all the
way through we have had the belief that we
have the players going forward to do
something special."
Arsenal, who had Francis Coquelin sent off
early in the second half, will be happier than
Spurs with a point in the north London
derby after Alexis Sanchez grabbed a late
equaliser to end a run of three successive
defeats in all competitions.
Toby Alderweireld's low angled drive and
Harry Kane's brilliant curling shot had put
Tottenham ahead after Aaron Ramsey's
clever flicked finish gave Arsenal the lead.
"You feel frustrated and disappointed
because at 11 against 10 you need to keep
that result," Spurs manager Mauricio
Pochettino said.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger thought
Coquelin's sending-off for a needless foul
wide on the touchline had been decisive.
"I'm happy and proud of our attitude, we
refused to lose the game," Wenger said after
his side avoided suffering four straight
defeats for the first time since 2002.
"But we have big regrets because I couldn't
see when it was 11 versus 11 how we
would drop points today. We made a big
mistake at 1-0. (Coquelin) knows he made a
mistake."
Leicester lead the standings on 60 points
with Tottenham on 55, Arsenal 52 and
Manchester City 50.
MISSED PENALTY
City's Sergio Aguero scored twice and
missed a penalty as they overwhelmed Villa,
who are eight points adrift at the foot of the
table, with four second-half goals at the
Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle remained second-bottom, a point
from the safety zone, after the defeat by
Bournemouth and McClaren was roundly
booed by the St James' Park crowd.
Steven Taylor's first-half own goal put
Bournemouth ahead and Josh King doubled
their lead in the 70th minute. Ayoze Perez
pulled one back for the hosts 10 minutes
later before Charlie Daniels ended
Newcastle's hopes of a fightback.
"I'm very disappointed. That was definitely a
poor performance and 'going down'
material. The only positive is that we have
10 games to go," McClaren said.
Champions Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw
by Stoke City at Stamford Bridge, Mame
Biram Diouf heading a late equaliser for the
visitors after Bertrand Traore had put the
Londoners in front.
West Ham United scored three goals in the
last 12 minutes to secure a dramatic 3-2 win
over 10-man Everton, who had Kevin Mirallas
sent off after 34 minutes, at Goodison Park
and climb to fifth on 49 points.
Southampton's Virgil van Dijk struck in
stoppage-time to earn his side a 1-1 draw
with fourth-bottom Sunderland and
Swansea City won 1-0 against fellow
strugglers Norwich City, who stayed in the
relegation places.
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Leicester five points clear, Spurs heldCreated at
2016-03-06 07:02:57