Chelsea leapfrogs Tottenham into third place

CHELSEA leapfrogged Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the Premier League Sunday after coming from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1.

Chelsea’s fightback enabled them to take advantage of Spurs’ 2-2 draw with fellow Champions League hopefuls Everton at White Hart Lane, where Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a late equaliser to rescue the hosts in a pulsating game.

Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea moved up to third place with 58 points from 31 games, ahead of Spurs on goal difference but with a game in hand. Fifth-placed Arsenal are two points behind, while sixth-placed Everton have 52.

Chelsea had fallen behind just before halftime when Cesar Azpilicueta steered Sunderland defender, John O’Shea’s header into his own net.

The visitors returned the favour two minutes after the restart with an own goal of their own by Matthew Kilgallon following a dangerous move by Chelsea substitute Fernando Torres before Branislav Ivanovic sealed victory in the 55th minute.

Earlier, Liverpool lost ground on the group chasing Champions League spots when they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham United at Anfield, leaving them in seventh place with 49 points from 32 games.

Newcastle United also pulled themselves further away from trouble with a 1-0 win at home to Fulham, thanks to Papiss Cisse’s stoppage-time winner. Victory lifted them to 13th place with 36 points, a point behind West Ham.

League leaders, Manchester United, who are 15 points clear, host second-placed champions Manchester City Monday.