Chelsea stun Liverpool, City close on leaders

The Premier League title race has been blown wide open once again after Chelsea FC moved within two points of leaders Liverpool FC courtesy of a 2-0 triumph at Anfield, while Manchester City FC won at Crystal Palace FC. 

Liverpool could have ended Chelsea's title hopes with victory but found José Mourinho's side difficult to break down in the first half, which ended with Demba Ba opening the scoring in added time. Reds captain Steven Gerrard slipped close to the halfway line and that gifted the ball to Ba, who raced through on goal and slotted a shot beyond Simon Mignolet.

The hosts came out eager to respond but lacked their usual verve, needing Mignolet to keep out an André Schürrle effort at the other end. Chelsea did manage to add a second, however, with Fernando Torres setting up Willian to walk the ball into an empty net after a Liverpool attack had broken down in added time.

The result ended a run of 11 consecutive league wins for Brendan Rodgers' men and also played into the hands of third-placed City, who lie three points back with a game in hand, plus a superior goal difference, after a 2-0 win at Palace. Edin Džeko and Yaya Touré scored before the interval to put the fate of the title into City's hands.

Also on Sunday, Sunderland AFC climbed off the bottom and out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 defeat of ten-man Cardiff City FC, who now occupy last place. Connor Wickham headed the opener and Fabio Borini struck on the cusp of half-time from the penalty spot, after Cala had been dismissed for impeding Wickham. Emanuele Giaccherini and Wickham added further strikes after the interval.