Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/497863
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 APRIL 2015 35 Sport FOOTBALL Chelsea beat United to inch closer to title, Leicester win again A first-half goal from Eden Hazard took Chelsea another giant step closer to the Premier League title as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho's Blues are now 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal thanks to Belgium inter- national Hazard, who rounded off a neat move with a fine finish after 38 minutes. Louis van Gaal's United dominat- ed possession for large spells, but were unable to find a way through as Chelsea defended stoutly. But they could have opened the scoring when Wayne Rooney, found by a Luke Shaw pass, curled an ef- fort narrowly wide from 18 yards. Hazard came close to scoring his second goal of the game after the break when an improvised effort from close range came back off the crossbar. Leicester kept up their hopes of Premier League survival with their third win in three games as they beat Swansea 2-0 at home. Leonardo Ulloa, a late starter due to an injury for David Nugent in the warm-up, hammered the ball into the bottom corner after Wes Morgan's knock down in the 15th minute to score his first since Janu- ary. The Foxes had to wait until the last minute to make the game safe as Lukasz Fabianski f lapped at a free kick and Andy King slotted home to ensure they are only in the relegation zone on goal difference. Southampton failed to leapfrog Liverpool into fifth place, as they were beaten 2-1 by Stoke. Southampton took the lead as Steven Davis' corner was headed back across goal by Jose Fonte, and Morgan Schneiderlin was on hand to poke home at the back post in the 22nd minute. After the break, Stoke were quickly level as Mame Biram Diouf took advantage in the 47th minute. Steven Nzonzi's sliced shot came back off the bar and Diouf finished smartly past goalkeeper Kelvin Davis. Substitute Charlie Adam then gave the Potters all three points as the midfielder controlled well after a scramble in the box and lashed home in the 84th minute. Burnley fell deeper into relegation trouble as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Everton. Everton went ahead as Kevin Mi- rallas smashed into the net from close range in the 29th minute af- ter Arouna Kone failed to control Seamus Coleman's low cross. Tom Heaton kept them in the game by saving a Ross Barkley pen- alty but, just before half-time, Ash- ley Barnes made the task harder as he was sent off for a second book- able offence after bringing Cole- man down. West Brom halted Crystal Pal- ace's recent good run with a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park that aids their fight against relegation. West Brom took an early lead as James Morrison headed home Chris Brunt's corner inside two minutes. The Baggies kept Palace at bay until half-time and, after the break, Craig Gardner fired a stunning 25-yard drive past Julian Speroni in the 53rd minute to dou- ble the lead. Glenn Murray's airshot then found Dwight Gayle four yards out, but his diving header went over the bar and Palace could not get back into the game despite Yaya Sanago having a goal ruled out for offside. Chelsea Players celebrate Eden Hazards' goal against Man United Arsenal reach FA Cup Final with goal in extra time AN error by Reading goalkeep- er Adam Federici condemned his side to a 2-1 extra-time de- feat to holders Arsenal in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley. The Australian allowed a low effort from Alexis Sanchez, who had put Arsenal 1-0 up earlier in the game, to slip through his grasp and over the line in the final seconds of the opening period of extra-time. The Gunners struggled to find anything like their best form against their Champion- ship opponents, who counter- attacked dangerously. But they took the lead when Sanchez converted a through ball from Mesut Ozil towards the end of the first half, only for Garath McCleary to equal- ise when his volley went in off Wojciech Szczesny less than 10 minutes into the second half. Aaron Ramsey smashed an effort against the post from close range inside the final 10 minutes of the 90 -- but Fed- erici 's mistake proved to be the decisive moment and left Arsenal one game away from defending the trophy. Alexis Sanchez was the hero for Arsenal scoring both goals