Chelsea stay five points clear

English Premier League football leaders Chelsea chalked up another three points with a 1-0 victory at West Ham United to protect their five-point lead over champions Manchester City.

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard applauds the fans. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

City, who laboured to a 2-0 win over bottom club Leicester City, might have hoped Chelsea would suffer a hangover from their League Cup final win over Tottenham Hotspur but Eden Hazard's header decided matters at Upton Park.

David Silva's goal and a late effort from James Milner enabled City to stay in touch, although Manuel Pellegrini's side were unimpressive at The Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal stayed third, nine points behind Chelsea, with a 2-1 victory at London rivals Queens Park Rangers and Ashley Young's last-minute goal sealed a 1-0 win for fourth-placed Manchester United at Newcastle United.

Chelsea have 63 points from 27 games with City on 58 from a game more. Arsenal have 54 with United on 53.

Liverpool are up to fifth after beating second from bottom Burnley 2-0.

Tottenham rebounded from their Wembley disappointment to beat Swansea City 3-2 and stay in contention for a top-four finish.

Everton's worrying league form continued as they went down 2-0 at Stoke City.