Man City march on as Chelsea woes continue

March 4 (Reuters)- Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City beat champions Chelsea 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to extend their lead to 18 points and leave the London side further adrift from the Champions League qualification spots.

After Chelsea’s defensive approach resulted in a first-half stalemate, City went ahead 33 seconds into the second period when Bernardo Silva turned in a low cross from David Silva.

Chelsea have now lost four of their last five Premier League games and are in fifth place, five points behind Tottenham Hotspur who occupy the fourth Champions League spot.

City’s lead could be cut by third-placed Manchester United, who play Crystal Palace on Monday, but the mathematics appear a mere formality now with Pep Guardiola’s side having won their last 14 home games.