.As Liverpool, West Ham share points
Diego Costa struck late against a stubborn West Brom at Stamford Bridge to secure Chelsea’s ninth straight win as the Antonio Conte led side moved back to the top of the Premier League.
The Spain striker took advantage of a mistake by a hesitant Gareth McAuley in the 76th minute to rob the defender of possession and curl a brilliant left-foot shot past Ben Foster.
West Brom had looked like earning a point after restricting the Blues to just one other shot on target, a 30-yard David Luiz free-kick.
The Baggies had early chances through a Chris Brunt shot that fizzed wide and Salomon Rondon shooting across goal.
Chelsea move three points ahead of Arsenal while West Brom stay ninth.
The Blues had scored 22 in their previous eight league victories but looked likely falling victim to a defensive masterclass from Tony Pulis’ side until Costa struck.
In the other match, goals by Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio exposed Liverpool’s defensive frailties again as West Ham climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a hard-fought draw at Anfield.
After conceding four in last weekend’s loss at Bournemouth, Liverpool shipped two avoidable first-half goals on their way to ceding more ground to Chelsea and Arsenal in the title race.
Adam Lallana’s smart low finish had put Liverpool ahead inside five minutes but the visitors were level before the half-hour when goalkeeper Loris Karius – at fault for Bournemouth’s winner a week ago – failed to deal with Payet’s saveable 25-yard free-kick.
Karius was less culpable for West Ham’s second scored by Antonio, but it was a scruffy goal that did not reflect well on a Liverpool backline that has now conceded 20 goals in 15 league games – the worst record among the teams in the top six.
Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first Premier League goal gave Manchester United victory over top-four rivals Tottenham.
United, still six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, led when Mkhitaryan raced on to Ander Herrera’s through ball and hammered into the roof of the net.
The game ended in disappointment for Mkhitaryan, who was taken off on a stretcher with an ankle injury in the final 10 minutes at Old Trafford.
Spurs missed the chance to replace Manchester City in fourth and remain fifth, three points above United.