<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Sunderland will be guaranteed survival if Norwich City lose away at Chelsea on Sunday.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.</p>
<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Sunderland will be guaranteed survival if Norwich City lose away at Chelsea on Sunday.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.</p>
