City take huge step forward

Manchester City returned to the Premier League summit for the first time since January with a 3-2 win at Everton on Saturday that left them six points from a second title in three seasons.

Edin Dzeko’s double put them in charge at Goodison Park after Sergio Aguero fashioned an equaliser as they recovered from a superb early Ross Barkley goal for the home side.
Romelu Lukaku gave fifth-placed Everton hope with a 65th-minute effort but City hung on to move above Liverpool with a far superior goal difference and two games left.
Both sides have 80 points with Chelsea, who can go top with a win over Norwich City on Sunday, on 78 with two to play.

Liverpool visit Crystal Palace in their penultimate game on Monday before finishing at home to Newcastle United while City host Aston Villa on Wednesday and West Ham United next Sunday.

The trap door slammed shut on Cardiff City and Fulham as crushing away defeats condemned both clubs to relegation while rejuvenated Sunderland moved to the brink of survival.

Sunderland’s impressive burst of form continued as they earned a 1-0 win at Manchester United -- a result that took them beyond the reach of Cardiff, 3-0 losers at Newcastle United, and Fulham who were crushed 4-1 at Stoke City.

Gus Poyet’s side’s third consecutive victory, clinched by Sebastian Larsson’s well-worked winner on the half hour, took them to 35 points in 17th place with two games remaining while Cardiff (30) and Fulham (31) only have one left.

Sunderland will be guaranteed survival if Norwich City lose away at Chelsea on Sunday.
In an early kickoff West Ham United guaranteed their safety, reaching 40 points with a 2-0 win over 10-man Tottenham Hotspur -- their third victory over their London rivals this season.

An own goal by Spurs striker Harry Kane and Stewart Downing’s free-kick put West Ham in control before halftime after Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul was red-carded for bundling over Downing who was racing towards goal.

Southampton won 1-0 at Swansea City with Rickie Lambert's stoppage time winner while Aston Villa, who began the day not mathematically safe, beat FA Cup finalists Hull City 3-1.

Sunderland’s revival was expected to come under severe scrutiny against a United side buoyed by Ryan Giggs’ promotion to caretaker coach in the wake of David Moyes' sacking.

However, the Giggs effect did not materialise as it did against Norwich last weekend and Sunderland deservedly grabbed a first win at Old Trafford since 1968 when Larsson swept in a cross from Connor Wickham. The visitors also hit the woodwork twice through Fabio Borini and Emanuele Giaccherini.