JOIN USWest Ham blow to Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur's exhilarating Premier League title surge came to a shuddering halt as they lost 1-0 at West Ham United on Friday to leave Chelsea needing six points from four games to be crowned champions.
At the former London Olympic Stadium made famous by the likes of Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, a 10th successive league win for Tottenham would have put them one point behind Chelsea but they stumbled over one of their final hurdles.
Manuel Lanzini's scruffy 65th-minute goal sparked an East End party, and celebrations over in west London too, as West Ham guaranteed survival with only a second win in 12 games.
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham dominated possession for long periods but never reached the levels that had raised hopes of a first title since 1961.
Chelsea can open up a seven-point lead with victory over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough on Monday and would then clinch the title before Tottenham play again if they win at West Bromwich Albion next Friday.
"It is not over. It is true that it will be difficult... to catch Chelsea," Pochettino told reporters. "Maybe we were a little desperate tonight after they scored.
"Today was a key moment and one of those moments where if you are going to win a title you have to win."
Just over a year ago West Ham put a spoke in the wheel of Tottenham's title challenge with a 1-0 win at Upton Park when victory would have put Spurs level with Leicester City.
The Hammers, who have endured a mediocre season at their new home, raised their game again with a hard-working display.
Tottenham, for all their controlled passing, struggled to penetrate West Ham's rearguard. Even when they did home keeper Adrian frustrated them with some fine saves. Twice he denied Harry Kane in the space of a few seconds midway through the first half and he also reacted well to keep out an Eric Dier header.
Son Heung-Min went closest to breaking the deadlock for Tottenham in the second half but West Ham were always dangerous and Lanzini, wasteful with a first-half chance, delivered what could be knockout blow to Tottenham's title hopes.
City dazzle
Relegated Sunderland threatened to drag Hull City with them through the trap door after a surprise 2-0 victory on Saturday put a huge dent in their opponents' survival hopes.
Four consecutive home wins had put Hull's fate firmly in their own hands but, given the chance to pull five points clear of third-from-bottom Swansea City, they suffered an attack of the jitters that could prove fatal. Champions Leicester City finally assured their safety with a 3-0 victory at home to Watford, while Stoke City and Bournemouth will be playing top-flight football next season after a 2-2 draw on the south coast.
Manchester City were the only top-six club in action on Saturday and took advantage with a 5-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace who themselves are not safe from the drop after a third consecutive defeat left them in 16th spot. After two consecutive draws, City needed a win to bolster their top-four prospects and delivered a dazzling display to move above Liverpool into third spot.