Spurs close the gap on Chelsea, Liverpool capitalizes on Manchester United slip up

LONDON, April 2: Chelsea have had their Premier League lead cut to seven points by a shock 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace as second-placed Tottenham won 2-0 at Burnley.

Goals from Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke cancelled out a early score from Cesc Fabregas in a frantic opening 10 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s a sweet three points to come to the champions, or who I think are going to be champions, and win,” Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce said.

“This is what the Premier League is about. There can be a shock anywhere. It will make people sit up and say wow.”

Chelsea looked on the way to an 11th straight league home win when Fabregas scored after just five minutes.

But Zaha fired in an equaliser from the edge of the area, then set up Benteke for the game-winner seconds later.

Chelsea continually pressured the Palace end but couldn’t beat Wayne Hennessey.

It was Palace’s fourth straight win and keeps them four points above the relegation places.

Tottenham were held at bay for most of the day at Burnley until Eric Dier broke the deadlock in the 66th minute.

Son Heung Min then clinched Spurs’ fourth straight win with 13 minutes remaining.

“We’ve talked a lot about being there if Chelsea fail,” manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “That is important to us.

“The way we got the three points, the victory, makes me very proud.”

Liverpool moved to third after beating Everton 3-1 in the Merseyside derby.

Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi scored as the Reds made it 13 straight league games unbeaten against their neighbours and strengthened their chances of a top-four finish.

They’re now six points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United in the battle for Champions League qualification.

“It was a well deserved win,” manager Juergen Klopp said. “We played good football and we coped well.

“We did the job, three points.”

Manchester United’s top-four aspirations were hit by a goalless home draw with West Brom.

United had 75 per cent possession and 18 shots attempts but couldn’t break through as the Baggies sat back for most of the game.

Hull helped their survival chances by beating West Ham 2-1 on goals from Andrew Robertson and Andrea Ranocchia.

The Tigers remain in the drop zone on 27 points but only on goal difference behind Swansea.

Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy scored as defending champions Leicester beat Stoke 2-0 for their fourth straight league win to move six points above relegation and Sunderland remain bottom of the league after losing 1-0 at Watford.

Bournemouth’s Harry Arter skied a late penalty over goal a 0-0 draw at Southampton in which both teams also hit the post.

Middlesbrough visit Swansea and Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday.