Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City both issued timely reminders to Chelsea that the Premier League title race might not be over with impressive victories on Sunday.
After top-six rivals Arsenal and Manchester United dropped points on Saturday, second-placed Tottenham took full advantage as Harry Kane struck twice in a 3-2 home win against Everton.
That left Tottenham seven points behind Chelsea who face West Ham United on Monday, while City are a further point behind Tottenham with a game in hand after goals by Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane eased them to a 2-0 win at Sunderland who stay rooted to the bottom of the table.
City are three points above fourth-placed Liverpool while Arsenal have slipped out of the top-four after their 3-1 loss at Anfield on Saturday. United are sixth, three points worse off than Liverpool, after drawing with Bournemouth on Saturday.
Tottenham, as they did for most of last season when they pursued title winners Leicester City into the closing weeks, look like they are ready to go the distance again.
Kane opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a 25-metre rocket shot and doubled his side's advantage early in the second half -- his 19th league goal of the season and 14th strike in 12 games in all competitions.
Romelu Lukaku, vying for the Premier League's Golden Boot with Kane, struck his 18th of the season with 10 minutes left before Dele Alli struck for Spurs in stoppage time and Enner Valencia replied immediately for the visitors.
Tottenham have now won nine consecutive home Premier League games for the first time while Everton's nine-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end.
"It was a fantastic performance even if we are a little disappointed to concede the goals," Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said. "We dominated the game and played with a lot of confidence.
"It's important because now comes the most important period in the season."
City, who have the chance to move second when they play at home to Stoke City on Wednesday, were in third gear at times against Sunderland but had far too much class.
It took them until three minutes before the break to edge ahead. A sweeping move saw David Silva release Raheem Sterling whose cross was dinked home by Aguero.
Silva was involved in City's second -- a perfectly-weighted pass allowing Sane to smash a shot past Jordan Pickford.
City have kept five successive away clean sheets in all competitions and have 10 away league wins, although Guardiola was still not totally satisfied.
"It was a good victory," he said. "But we were passing the ball between ourselves in the last 25 minutes.
"I don't like to defend a result and be near our box. It is okay if you're 3-0 or 4-0 up but not 2-0."
Reuters
Mon Mar 06 2017
![Tottenham and Man City keep up the chase Tottenham and Man City keep up the chase](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-03/61488766825_SergioAguero.jpg)
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their first goal during the Premier League between Sunderland and Manchester City, March 5, 2017. Action Images via REUTERS / Livepic
![La Liga: Kylian Mbappe kini kepunyaan Real Madrid La Liga: Kylian Mbappe kini kepunyaan Real Madrid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721176547_Mbappe.jpg)
La Liga: Kylian Mbappe kini kepunyaan Real Madrid
Pemain berusia 26 tahun itu akan menyarung jersi nombor 9 dan mengakui terpaksa menolak beberapa tawaran daripada beberapa kelab besar.
AWANI Ringkas: Tumpuan sidang Dewan Rakyat hari ini
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
[Data & Statistik] Prestasi ringgit setakat 17 Julai 2024
Ketua Ekonomi Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid berkata tumpuan pasaran telah beralih ke arah pilihan raya presiden AS menjelang November nanti, yang menunjukkan kebimbangan terhadap Donald Trump berikutan dasar ekonominya yang akan memihak kepada pemotongan cukai dan pengenaan tarif terhadap China.
![Olimpik 2024: Mampukah Pearly-Thinaah cipta 'kemanisan' di Paris? Olimpik 2024: Mampukah Pearly-Thinaah cipta 'kemanisan' di Paris?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41704813566_PearlyTandanThina.jpg)
Olimpik 2024: Mampukah Pearly-Thinaah cipta 'kemanisan' di Paris?
Penganalisis berpendapat sukar buat Pearly-Thinaah menjayakan misi emas pertama Malaysia pada penampilan sulung mereka.
Niaga AWANI: [Hutang kerajaan persekutuan meningkat] Cabaran antara jimat atau langkah rangsangan
Perdana Menteri pada Selasa umum hutang kerajaan persekutuan meningkat kepada RM1.22 trilion berbanding RM1.17 trilion. Apakah cabaran mengurus hutang ini untuk memasihkan ia kekal di bawah had statutori? Adakah dasar fikal kita masih utuh?
![Pemuda berat 183kg kini tinggal 99kg Pemuda berat 183kg kini tinggal 99kg](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721175184_Pemudaberatkgk.jpg)
Pemuda berat 183kg kini tinggal 99kg
Dia melalui episod kehidupan yang panjang untuk mendapatkan berat terkini.
![Minat risiko ketara, ringgit dibuka mengukuh berbanding dolar AS Minat risiko ketara, ringgit dibuka mengukuh berbanding dolar AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/81709006000_RINGGIT.jpg)
Minat risiko ketara, ringgit dibuka mengukuh berbanding dolar AS
Ringgit mengukuh sedikit berbanding dolar AS pada sesi awal urus niaga Rabu ketika minat terhadap risiko kembali ketara.
Jiwa SME: Sabun Pro One Active sasar perluas pasaran global
Sabun Pro One Active tidak menggunakan sebarang lemak haiwan dalam pembuatannya selain ia mesra pengguna dan alam lantaran ia bercirikan biochemical.
Niaga AWANI: Potensi sebenar AI Generatif dalam sektor kewangan
Kecerdasan Buatan Generatif (Generative AI) adalah teknologi yang semakin mendapat perhatian dalam sektor kewangan. Ia menawarkan potensi besar untuk meningkatkan produktiviti, kecekapan, dan ketepatan dalam pelbagai aspek perkhidmatan kewangan. Apakah langkah yang boleh diambil Malaysia untuk membina infrastruktur yang baik bagi menyokong penggunaan AI generatif dalam sektor kewangan?
![Bas terjunam ke dalam cerun ragut 23 nyawa di Peru Bas terjunam ke dalam cerun ragut 23 nyawa di Peru](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721173567_tbbusplummetsoffc.jpg)
Bas terjunam ke dalam cerun ragut 23 nyawa di Peru
Kemalangan itu berlaku di lebuh raya Los Libertadores di Ayacucho di selatan-tengah Andes.
![EPL: Maresca ganti Pochettino di Chelsea EPL: Maresca ganti Pochettino di Chelsea](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717474011_EnzoMaresca.jpg)
EPL: Maresca ganti Pochettino di Chelsea
Bekas pengendali Leicester City itu memeterai kontrak lima tahun dengan pilihan untuk melanjutkan tempoh itu setahun lagi.
![Real Madrid yang menang, Chelsea yang dapat duit! Real Madrid yang menang, Chelsea yang dapat duit!](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41717398734_RealMadrid.jpg)
Real Madrid yang menang, Chelsea yang dapat duit!
Real dianggarkan perlu menyelesaikan bayaran hasil kemenangan tersebut dengan jumlah 13 hingga 15 juta pound kepada Chelsea.
![Tiga faktor sumbang pemecatan Pochettino Tiga faktor sumbang pemecatan Pochettino](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81716424837_MauricioPochettino.jpg)
Tiga faktor sumbang pemecatan Pochettino
Pochettino menamatkan musim ini dengan lima kemenangan berturut-turut, membawa Chelsea ke tempat keenam dalam EPL.
![Chelsea layak beraksi di Eropah musim hadapan Chelsea layak beraksi di Eropah musim hadapan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71716161649_RaheemSterling.jpg)
Chelsea layak beraksi di Eropah musim hadapan
Caicedo meletakkan mereka di landasan untuk tiga mata pada separuh masa pertama dengan penyudah jarak jauh yang menakjubkan.
![EPL: Mauricio Pochettino pimpin Chelsea benam Spurs EPL: Mauricio Pochettino pimpin Chelsea benam Spurs](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/51714701314_PremierLeaguejpg.jpg)
EPL: Mauricio Pochettino pimpin Chelsea benam Spurs
Satu gol pada setiap separuh masa daripada Trevoh Chalobah dan Nicolas Jackson memberikan The Blues kemenangan yang tidak ternilai.
![EPL: Kai Havertz pastikan Arsenal menang bergaya tewaskan Chelsea EPL: Kai Havertz pastikan Arsenal menang bergaya tewaskan Chelsea](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71713921500_EnglishPremierLeag.jpg)
EPL: Kai Havertz pastikan Arsenal menang bergaya tewaskan Chelsea
Kemenangan itu meletakkan Arsenal tiga mata di hadapan Liverpool yang kini berada di tangga kedua dengan bermain lebih satu perlawanan.
![Piala FA Inggeris: Status Erling Haaland masih tanda tanya Piala FA Inggeris: Status Erling Haaland masih tanda tanya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713572772_TBSOCCERMANCITY.jpg)
Piala FA Inggeris: Status Erling Haaland masih tanda tanya
Pep Guardiola mendedahkan bahawa pemain berusia 23 tahun itu meminta untuk dikeluarkan tanpa memberi alasan yang kukuh.
![Pertelingkahan Jackson-Madueke bayangi empat gol Palmer buat Chelsea Pertelingkahan Jackson-Madueke bayangi empat gol Palmer buat Chelsea](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713234167_TBPremierLeague.jpg)
Pertelingkahan Jackson-Madueke bayangi empat gol Palmer buat Chelsea
Dua pemain Chelsea terlibat dalam pertengkaran fizikal mengenai siapa yang harus bertanggungjawab mengambil sepakan penalti.
![Pemain Chelsea masih belum cukup matang - Mauricio Pochettino Pemain Chelsea masih belum cukup matang - Mauricio Pochettino](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41712543814_mauriciopochettino.jpg)
Pemain Chelsea masih belum cukup matang - Mauricio Pochettino
"Menonton bola sepak pada usia 52 tahun, anda perlu mengenal pasti dengan cepat sekiranya pasukan itu bersedia untuk bersaing ataupun sebaliknya."
![Cole Palmer buat peminat Man United bersahur dengan air mata Cole Palmer buat peminat Man United bersahur dengan air mata](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81712274152_TBColePalmer.jpg)
Cole Palmer buat peminat Man United bersahur dengan air mata
United mendahului 3-2 dan kelihatan bakal bawa pulang tiga mata namun Noni Madueke dijatuhkan Diogo Dalot pada minit ketujuh masa tambahan.