Cole Palmer struck twice as Chelsea survived a late 3-2 win against Premier League strugglers Luton on Saturday, while Manchester City defeated Sheffield United 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea were in complete control when Palmer scored his second goal to put the visitors three up with 20 minutes to play.
Palmer had opened the scoring at Kenilworth Road before Noni Madueke doubled Chelsea’s lead late in the first half.
But former Chelsea midfielder, Ross Barkley, netted to spark a spirited finish from third bottom Luton, who scored again through Elijah Adebayo in a dramatic finale.
Chelsea’s second consecutive win was their first success away from home since a victory at Tottenham on November 6, ending a four-game losing streak on their travels.
City, despite missing Erling Haaland for a seventh consecutive game due to a foot injury, were never troubled by the Blades.
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Rodri ended Sheffield United’s resistence after just 14 minutes when the Spanish midfielder surged forward and fired low into the far corner.
Julian Alvarez again ably filled Haaland’s shoes as the Argentine tapped in his fourth goal in three games to make the points safe from Phil Foden’s cross just after the hour mark.
City move alongside Arsenal on 40 points, just two points behind Aston Villa and Liverpool, who are in action at home to Newcastle on Monday.
Meanwhile, Everton slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Wolves.
Max Kilman, Matheus Cunha, and Craig Dawson were on target for Gary O’Neil’s men, who secured a third win in seven days.
Any fears that Crystal Palace could be dragged into the relegation battle were eased by the Eagles first win in nine games as Brentford were beaten 3-1 at Selhurst Park.
Douglas Luiz’s late penalty took Aston Villa joint top of the Premier League with a 3-2 win over 10-man Burnley.
It looked like a festive season to forget for Villa was set to continue after dropping points at home for the first time this season to Sheffield United and blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at Manchester United on Boxing Day.
But Luiz’s spot-kick, that crept in off the underside of the bar, sent Unai Emery’s men level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table.
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