Premier League goals & highlights roundup: Gardner rocket denies Leicester, lucky Chelsea on the charge

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There was a healthy 17 goals notched across tonight’s five games in the Premier League.

And the pick of them was probably scored by West Bromwich Albion midfielder Craig Gardner, whose unstoppable free-kick into the top corner earned them a 2-2 draw with title-chasing Leicester City.

SEE MORE: Video: Leicester City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion: Craig Gardner deals Foxes title blow

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The Foxes had previously come from behind to lead 2-1 at the King Power Stadium, overturning Salomon Rondon’s opener through Danny Drinkwater’s deflected strike, and this pearler from Andy King.

King, deputising for the unavailable N’Golo Kante, finishes very smartly, but Riyad Mahrez’s delightful flicked assist is a show stealer and must only strengthen his case for PFA Player of the Year.

Leicester’s draw means that Tottenham Hotspur can take top spot with victory at West Ham United tomorrow night, when championship contenders Arsenal and Manchester City are also in action.

Chelsea’s hopes of retaining their Premier League crown were gone by October, but Guus Hiddink’s men are on the charge, with a 2-1 victory over struggling Norwich City tonight taking them to eighth.

Kenedy scored the quickest Premier League goal of the season inside 40 seconds, and Diego Costa doubled Chelsea’s tally before the break with this clever chip – but how was offside not given?

SEE MORE: Diego Costa goal video: Chelsea’s masked bandit steals clearly offside strike

Norwich grabbed a second-half reply through Nathan Redmond, but a seventh defeat in eight top-flight matches has seen the Canaries drop into the relegation zone, and Sunderland climb out.

The Black Cats picked up a decent point in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Against his former club, Connor Wickham scored a second straight brace, but could not end the Eagles’ 11-match winless run.

Dame N’Doye had got the aid of a big deflection for the opener on Wearside, but there was nothing lucky about Sunderland’s 89th-minute equaliser, this rasping shot on the turn from Fabio Borini!

SEE MORE: Video: Sunderland 2-2 Crystal Palace – Fabio Borini stunner earns Black Cats a point

Bournemouth are another side who moved away from trouble thanks to a 2-0 win over Southampton. Benik Afobe’s header sealed victory after this acrobatic effort from centre-back Steve Cook.

While the Cherries are now eight points above the bottom three, Aston Villa are the same margin from safety and appear even more doomed for the Championship after a 3-1 beating at the hands of Everton.

Rudy Gestede’s late consolation came after goals from Ramiro Funes Mori, Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon, who scored his fifth of the season at the end of this slick Toffees counter-attack.

SEE ALSO:
Video: Aston Villa 1-3 Everton – Miserable hosts ravaged by Romelu Lukaku
Kenedy goal video v Norwich: Guus Hiddink’s inspired left-back selection works within 40 seconds
Chelsea player ratings: Kenedy scores first BPL goal in 2-1 win vs Norwich City

More Stories aaron lennon Andy King Benik Afobe connor wickham Dame N'Doye Danny Drinkwater Diego Costa Fabio Borini guus hiddink Kenedy N'Golo Kante Nathan Redmond Ramiro Funes Mori Riyad Mahrez Romelu Lukaku Rudy Gestede Salomon Rondon Steve Cook