Manchester City down Chelsea, Liverpool go second

LONDON, Jan 16: Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City took a step closer to a fourth title in five seasons with a 1-0 win over second-placed Chelsea on Saturday, opening up a 13-point lead over the London club at the top.

Kevin De Bruyne's 70th-minute strike means that City have 56 points from 22 matches with Chelsea on 43 points.

Liverpool climbed to second in the Premier League after goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino earned a 3-0 win over Brentford at Anfield on Sunday.

The win moved Juergen Klopp's side above Chelsea in the table and 11 points behind leader Manchester City with a game in hand.

Liverpool, without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane who are playing at the African Cup of Nations, had struggled to open up a determined Brentford defence but broke through a minute before the interval when a corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold bounced to the back post and was nodded home by Fabinho.

The London side continued to prove resilient opponents, staying in the contest until the 69th minute when Oxlade-Chamberlain stooped at the back post to head in a wonderful cross from Andy Robertson.

Substitute Minamino wrapped up the win, tapping home after Brentford's attempt to play out from the back was intercepted by Roberto Firmino who set up the Japanese forward for a simple finish.

Philippe Coutinho enjoyed a dream debut for Aston Villa as he came off the bench to inspire a 2-2 comeback draw at home to Manchester United, scoring a late equalizer.

Rafa Benitez's troubles at Everton continued as they suffered a 2-1 loss at Norwich City, who moved off the bottom of the table with their third win of the campaign.

Newcastle United conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at home to Watford, missing the chance to escape the drop zone.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said his side would keep up the chase, but struck a realistic tone in regard to the title chase. "We won't give up, but if City keep on winning every game, nobody can catch them," said the German.

City extended their winning run in the league to 12 games, deservedly so after another display of controlled possession football.

There was none of the frantic entertainment and thrills of Chelsea's recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool in a game which, for all the quality football, produced few moments of excitement.

Chelsea remained compact and cautious while City probed and always looked the more likely to break through.

"It was absolutely well deserved," said Guardiola, "We cannot expect ten, 12 chances against that team. They're European champions."

"They waited in the transition to punish us and we scored the goal in a transition. We knew exactly what team we were playing and how good they are. In general today, we were so patient," he added.

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