Chelsea cut for the title without kicking a ball
PREMIER LEAGUE pacesetters Chelsea must wait for their first game of the year when they travel across London to Tottenham, but the Blues were the big winners after second-placed Liverpool twice threw away the lead in a 2-2 draw at struggling Sunderland.
The Black Cats were 9-1 underdogs to upset Jurgen Klopp’s Reds but Jermain Defoe netted two penalties to leave Liverpool five points behind Chelsea. The Blues also have a game in hand, and they are 8-13 from 8-11 to win the title.
Manchester City have had a difficult few weeks but they beat Burnley 2-1 despite midfielder Fernando being sent off after just 32 minutes. City are 8-1 to win the league.
Manchester United moved to within one point of the top four with a 2-0 victory at ten-man West Ham, while champions Leicester drew 0-0 at Middlesbrough.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman will have been delighted with a commanding 3-0 win for the Toffees over his former club Southampton at Goodison Park, while West Brom bounced back to beat Hull 3-1 at the Hawthorns despite trailing 1-0 at half-time.
Fans of the toothless Tigers could at least celebrate their first goal in six league away games, but the defeat leaves them second-bottom and 1-10 to go down.
Brighton have taken over as leaders of the Sky Bet Championship and are two points clear after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Fulham and Newcastle were stunned 1-0 at Blackburn.
Despite surrendering top spot the Magpies are 5-6 to win the division with the Seagulls 15-8.
Bayern Munich assistant coach Paul Clement has agreed a deal in principal to take over as Swansea manager. Clement’s only previous experience in charge of a club was last season at Derby, where he lasted only seven months.