Man City, beat Newcastle, Brighton beat Liverpool as Everton pile pain on Chelsea

Manchester City closed Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to just two points ahead of Sunday's North-London derby with a hard-fought 2-1 win at home to Newcastle United, reported Xinhua.

Nico O'Reilly put Manchester City ahead in the 14th minute with a fizzing low shot and although Lewis Hall equalized for Newcastle with a deflected shot following a corner, O'Reilly's second from an Erling Haaland cross in the 27th minute restored Manchester City's lead.

Aston Villa was frustrated by Leeds United in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park, which saw Anton Stach score an excellent free kick to put the battling visiting side ahead.

Leeds clung on until the 89th minute when January arrival Tammy Abraham netted a goal for Aston Villa, whose slim title chances has probably now gone.

Chelsea's efforts to finish in the top-four were frustrated by a late goal as Burnley salvaged a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro put Chelsea in front after just four minutes after sliding in Pedro Neto's low cross, but after Wesley Fofana was sent off for seeing the second of his two yellow cards in the 72nd minute, Chelsea was guilty of sitting deep and Zian Flemming punished them with an injury time header from James Ward-Prowse's pinpoint corner.

James Milner made history with a record 654th Premier League appearance as Brighton claimed a much-needed 2-0 win away to Brentford with first half goals from Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck.

West Ham and Bournemouth took a point each in a 0-0 draw at the London Stadium which leaves West Ham still in the bottom three.

Meanwhile, two goals from veteran striker Danny Welbeck earned Brighton a 2-1 home win over Liverpool, denting the visitors' hopes of a top-four finish.

Welbeck's 11th and 12th Premier League goals of the season proved vital. He opened the scoring after 14 minutes, and although Milos Kerkez leveled on the half-hour after a poor defensive error from Lewis Dunk, Welbeck's second after the break settled the game. Liverpool has now lost 10 of their 31 league matches this campaign.

Everton deepened Chelsea's misery with a 3-0 win at home, moving up to eighth in the table, just two places and two points behind Liam Rosenior's side.

Two goals from Norberto Beto and one from Iliman Ndiaye gave Everton consecutive home wins, while adding the pain to Chelsea, who have slumped after heavy defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and a home loss to Newcastle United.

Leeds United and Brentford ended Saturday with a 0-0 draw, with the hosts guilty of leaving their push for a winning goal too late as they seek to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Burnley slipped closer to relegation after a 3-1 defeat away to Fulham. Zian Flemming put Burnley ahead, but Josh King and Harry Wilson turned the game around before Raul Jimenez's stoppage-time penalty sealed the win.

On Friday night, Bournemouth twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Manchester United, with all of the goals coming in the second half, which also saw Harry Maguire sent off for a foul.