Premier League Round-up | Chelsea three points closer to the title; Arsenal falter again

ByRohan Chawla, SportsCafe Editor

03/19/2017

Gary Cahill came up with a late goal at the Bet365 as Chelsea continued their winning streak with a 2-1 victory and are now three points closer to securing their fifth Premier League title. Arsenal, however, were handed their fourth defeat in a row at West Brom - their worst run under Arsene Wenger.

Chelsea clinch a hard-fought win against Stoke City

In a well-contested match between the league leaders and Stoke city, the leaders came out on top. A Gary Cahill late goal ended a defiant performance by the Champions-elect as Chelsea opened up a 13 point lead at the top of the table

Lee Grant was instrumental in keeping Chelsea at bay and giving the Potters a shot at getting something out of the game. However, it was Willian who was able to finally breach the Stoke defense and it came off a set-piece situation. The Brazilian netted a free-kick at the near post in which Grant's position was questionable. But Stoke found a way back into the game in the 37th minute when Jon Walters equalized from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Cahill inside the 18-yard-box.Gary Cahill clinching a win. Although the blues did not manage to keep a clean sheet in the 6th consecutive game, the win puts them 13 points clear of Tottenham and are sure to be enthroned as champions in May.

Cahill, though, made up for his mistake, latching onto Stoke's inability to clear a corner and smashed the ball past Grant to give Chelsea the lead for a second time in the game. Stoke were reduced to 10 men in injury time when Phil Bardsley was sent off for a second bookable offense.

Craig Dawson's brace lead West Brom to a 3-1 win over Arsenal

West Brom put three goals past Arsenal to put the London club and manager Arsene Wenger into even more trouble. Arsenal are now on their worst run under Wenger, who would have seen two messages fly over the Hawthorns reading "Wenger Out" and "In Arsene we trust".

The Hawthorns came alive just 12 minutes into the game when Craig Dawson rose highest to head in a Nacer Chadli header to give the Baggies the lead. Arsenal, however, fought back through Alexis Sanchez who silenced the home crowd by equalizing in less than 3 minutes. Arsenal's problems were compounded by the injury to first choice keeper Petr Cech who was replaced by David Ospina in the first half.

In the second half, substitute Hal Robson-Kanu put Arsenal in even more trouble when he put the ball past Ospina in less than a minute after coming on. Craig Dawson then completed a brace as the Arsenal backline failed to mark him on another corner in the 75th minute.

The win took West Brom to 8th on the table while Arsenal are in danger of going down to sixth if United win their game against Middlesbrough.