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52 CHELSEA returned to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a routine 3-0 victory over Stoke. Jose Mourinho declared Chel- sea's title challenge was over after last weekend's loss at Crystal Pal- ace and, with the Blues' fate out of their own hands, winning the re- maining six games was the target. Liverpool, who play West Ham on Sunday, and Manchester City, 4-1 winners over Southampton earlier on Saturday, have games in- hand, but Chelsea sit top with five games to go after Mohamed Salah netted on his full debut. Frank Lampard followed up to score after Asmir Begovic saved his penalty and Willian curled in a third in the Blues' 15th home win of the season. City increased the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea with an em- phatic victory over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium. A controversial Samir Nasri goal and an Edin Dzeko header mo- ments later turned a tight game in City's favour after Rickie Lam- bert's penalty had cancelled out one from Yaya Toure. Substitute Stevan Jovetic made victory certain, but for Southamp- ton prime concerns were over a knee injury to 17-goal top scorer Jay Rodriguez. Juan Mata struck in each half as Manchester United beat New- castle 4-0 with the Spaniard on target with a fine free-kick for the opener. Shinji Kagawa was inf luential throughout and he helped set up Mata's second, before being heav- ily involved as Javier Hernandez continued the rout at St James' Park. Newcastle kept pushing forward, enabling United to claim a fourth goal through Adnan Januzaj. Fulham climbed off the foot of the table when Hugo Rodallega pounced for a late winner in a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa. With just four minutes remain- ing, Lewis Holtby f loated in a cross that was met by Rodallega's glanc- ing header for his first Premier League goal in 15 months. Kieran Richardson had nudged Fulham into a 62nd-minute lead with a super strike, only for Grant Holt to capitalise on poor defend- ing to equalise. Fulham would have won by more but for some sloppy finishing and despite securing the three points, they still remain five points adrift of safety. Two goals from Jason Puncheon enabled Crystal Palace to take an- other giant stride towards Premier League survival by triumphing 3-0 at Cardiff. Puncheon and Joe Ledley gave the Eagles a comfortable two-goal cushion, but Puncheon saved his best for last with an outstanding late strike. The victory, which comes a week after Chelsea were humbled at Sel- hurst Park, nudges woeful Cardiff closer to the Sky Bet Champion- ship. West Brom secured a priceless 1-0 victory at Norwich when Mor- gan Amalfitano struck in the 17th minute with a magnificent goal. George Boyd headed in a cross from Liam Rosenior at the far post as Hull dispatched Swansea 1-0 at the KC Stadium to leave the Welsh club glancing nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 APRIL 2014 FOOTBALL Sport Chelsea outclass Stoke to regain top spot A review of Saturday's action in the Barclays Premier League Inter held by Bologna A review of the weekend's action so far in the Italian Serie A INTER Milan once again wasted the chance to get a stranglehold on a place in Europe next season as they twice threw away the lead to be held 2-2 at home by Bologna. Mauro Icardi scored both goals for the Nerazzurri, after six and 63 minutes, with Michele Pazienza's def lected shot bringing Bologna level first before Panagiotis Kone scored their second in the 74th minute. Inter then missed a penalty late on, with Diego Milito denied from the spot. The draw gives Inter a three- point advantage over sixth-placed Parma, who are in action on Sun- day, while Bologna move two points clear of the relegation zone ahead of the remainder of the weekend's matches. Luca Toni's second-half strike earned Hellas Verona derby hon- ours from their Serie A clash with Chievo on Saturday. Leading scorer Toni slotted home the only goal of the game from close range in the 65th minute to follow up his brace in last week- end's 3-0 victory over Genoa. Saturday's 1-0 win at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi keeps promoted Hellas well in the hunt for an unexpected European place, while leaving rivals Chievo still deep in trouble near the foot of the table. Mauro Icardi after his opening goal for Inter Milan