Saturdays Premier Review

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A review of Saturday's Premier League action so far as Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game in Chelsea's win at Crystal Palace.


Chelsea strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League as they claimed a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Diego Costa headed his 13th goal of the season from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross in the 44th minute to move Antonio Conte's side nine points clear of nearest rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.

The win equalled a club-record run of 11 consecutive league victories - a run which stretches back to the 2009/10 season. But the victory came at a cost, however, as Costa and N'Golo Kante will both miss the Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth after the duo picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's double moved Manchester United level on points with fifth-placed Tottenham after a 2-0 win at West Brom.

The in-form Swede nodded home Jesse Lingard's cross after five minutes before scoring his second in the 56th minute as Jose Mourinho's side extended their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Ten-man Leicester came from two goals down to seal a dramatic 2-2 draw against Stoke at the bet365 Stadium.

Jamie Vardy was shown a straight red card in the 28th minute by referee Craig Pawson for a two-footed challenge on Mame Biram Diouf.

Moments later, Bojan Krkic gave the Potters the lead from the penalty spot after Danny Simpson handled the Spaniard's cross. Leicester, who had five men booked in the opening 45 minutes, saw their saw afternoon go from bad to worse when Stoke doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Gianelli Imbula's effort struck the post before falling into the path of Joe Allen to tap-in.

Leonardo Ulloa put the visitors back into contention with his first touch before Daniel Amartey scored his first goal for the club in the 88th minute as the Foxes claimed only their second point away from home this season.

Alvaro Negredo scored twice as Middlesbrough claimed a 3-0 win over struggling Swansea.

The former Manchester City striker scored both goals in the first-half before Marten de Roon added a third.

Swansea have now conceded 37 goals this season, heaping more pressure on boss Bob Bradley.

Mark Noble scored his second penalty in successive games as West Ham secured back-to-back wins for the first time since October with a 1-0 win over luckless Hull.

Hull hit the woodwork three and dropped to the bottom of the table as the Hammers managed to hold on for all three points at the London Stadium.

Sunderland climbed off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 victory over Watford at the Stadium of Light.

Patrick van Aanholt's second-half strike left David Moyes' side a point off 17th-placed Crystal Palace.