LONDON: Manchester City squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea when they let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to struggling Burnley on Sunday.
Chelsea stuttered to a 1-1 draw at Southampton and champions City looked poised to close the gap at the top to one point when they scored twice in the first half against Burnley, but Ashley Barnes lashed in a late equaliser.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris inspired his team to a feisty 0-0 draw with third-placed Manchester United and Arsenal climbed to fifth with a 2-1 win at London rivals West Ham United.
Fourth-placed Southampton took a deserved 17th-minute lead against Chelsea, Sadio Mane run-ning clear to slot coolly past Thibaut Courtois at St Mary’s.
The visitors equalised just before halftime when Eden Hazard brilliantly controlled a fine pass from Cesc Fabregas, cut inside and stroked the ball into the net.
Chelsea poured forward but were frustrated by well-organised Southampton who had midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Jose Mourinho’s team remained three points clear at the top.
“I can believe Southampton defended with everything they have – with organisation, spirit and solidarity of players and the effort they fought to get the point,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“A point is a point against a difficult team,” added the Portuguese who was fuming that his side were not awarded a penalty when Fabregas went down in the area but was booked for diving.
Manchester City, seeking a 10th successive win, eased into a 2-0 lead against Burnley thanks to goals by David Silva and Fernandi-nho but the visitors got a lifeline when George Boyd tapped in just after the interval.
Barnes struck with a sweet 12- metre strike to level for Burnley whose entire squad cost a fraction of City’s injured 35 million-pound (US$54.4 million) striker Sergio Aguero.
“It was a big opportunity to get two more points,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini said.
“Everybody would think the game was over but I always say it is never over until the last minute.
“The pitch was very heavy. Two games in 48 hours but we were winning 2-0. Once it was 2-2 we didn’t have the legs to score.” — Reuters