Man City defeat Chelsea 1-0, strengthen grip on EPL top spot

Manchester March 5 (IANS) Manchester City on Sunday earned three more points in their quest for their fifth English Premier League (EPL) title which would be their first championship in four years by defeating defending champions Chelsea 1-0.

The combination of Sergio Aguero David Silva and Bernard Silva proved to be more than Chelsea could handle reports Efe.

Bernard Silva was the one who found the back of the net to break the scoreless deadlock in the very first minute of the second half on a cross by David Silva.

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte who put five players into the defensive line began casting about for a solution on the bench with 15 minutes to go before the stoppage time.

Conte decided to bring in Oliver Giroud in the 78th minute for Willian and then put in Emerson for Pedro Rodriguez just four minutes later.

But the changes were in vain as Chelsea was handed their fourth defeat in their last five league games.

Chelsea lost to Bournemouth and Watford but prevailed over West Bromwich. The defending champions then lost to Manchester s clubs United and City.

The Blues hold the fifth spot in the EPL table with 53 points five points off the UEFA Champions League positions.

--IANS
pur/ahm/