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English Premier League 2014-15
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West Ham's Andy Carroll (left) and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic have a difference of opinion at Stamford Bridge. Photo: Reuters

Chelsea give West Ham the festive blues

Mourinho's men confirm their class as Premier League leaders with 2-0 win but second-place Manchester City are also comfortable in beating West Brom

AFP

Premier League leaders Chelsea showed West Ham United no Christmas cheer with a one-sided 2-0 Boxing Day victory that enhanced their status as title favourites.

Goals in each half from John Terry and Diego Costa - his 13th of the campaign - earned Jose Mourinho's side a win that kept second-place Manchester City, who beat West Brom 3-1 at a snowy Hawthorns, in check.

West Ham, who slipped to fifth, were expected to provide a stern test after a run of five games without defeat, but despite hitting the woodwork late on, Sam Allardyce's team were well beaten in what was the London rivals' 100th encounter.

If you are going to get anything against Chelsea you have to play your best but then, that might not be good enough
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports: "We played a very good game against a very difficult opponent. When we scored we had the game always under control.

"I am happy with the way we played against a very difficult defensive side. We coped very well with the direct football and dealt with a difficult player like Andy Carroll.

Chelsea captain John Terry said: "We played some great football again but that second goal from Diego [Costa] was important for us. I am delighted."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admitted Chelsea were too good. "We did not do enough to affect them because of the quality they have. If you are going to get anything against Chelsea you have to play your best but then, that might not be good enough."

At the Hawthorns, Fernando punished an error by goalkeeper Ben Foster to put City ahead in the eighth minute, with a Yaya Toure penalty and a David Silva goal extending the visitors' lead before Brown Ideye scored a late consolation.

Wayne Rooney scores his second goal for Manchester United in their 3-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford. Photo: AFP

Manchester United sunk Newcastle 3-1 at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, tapping in after a sliding Radamel Falco steered Juan Mata's pass across goal, and added a second goal 13 minutes later with an assured finish from Mata's pass.

The United captain teed up Robin van Persie to head home the hosts' third goal eight minutes into the second half, before Papiss Cisse replied with an excellent late penalty.

Southampton moved into the top four by winning 3-1 at Crystal Palace, who slipped into the relegation zone. Sadio Mane put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute, with quick-fire goals by defenders Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld making the game safe before Scott Dann scored late on.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane (left) celebrates scoring the opening goal against Leicester City. Spurs won 2-1. Photo: AFP

Tottenham edged bottom club Leicester City 2-1, with Christian Eriksen's 71st-minute free kick securing victory after Leonardo Ulloa had cancelled out Harry Kane's first-minute opener for Spurs.

Swansea beat Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson's curling 13th-minute free kick.

Liverpool ended a run of three games without victory by winning 1-0 at Burnley through a Raheem Sterling goal.

Merseyside rivals Everton lost 1-0 at home to Stoke City with Bojan Krkic scoring from the penalty spot.

Hull City escaped from the bottom three by coming from behind to win 3-1 at Sunderland.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Chelsea give Hammers the festive blues
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