Late Mata goal Fires Chelsea to 3rd as Merseyside derby ends in stalemate

Manchester United 0 1 Chelsea

                  

Juan Mata struck a late winner for Chelsea as they secured what could be a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

A tame game appeared to be meandering to an underwhelming conclusion when, after 87 minutes, Mata confirmed his status as Chelsea's outstanding player this season by finding the bottom corner with a shot that took a minor deflection off Phil Jones.

                     

                      

United reacted badly to the late setback and Rafael lost his head when kicking out at David Luiz and earning a red card, even if his opponent hardly covered himself in glory when smiling to himself as he dramatically clutched his leg on the floor.

The win moves Chelsea into third place, one point ahead of Arsenal having played a game fewer than the Gunners and three ahead of Tottenham, who Chelsea face at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Liverpool 0 0 Everton

                     

Everton look certain to finish above Liverpool for the second season in succession after holding their rivals to a draw in the 220th Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Not since Bill Shankly took Liverpool into the top division in 1962 have the Reds finished behind Everton in consecutive years but Sunday's draw means they lag five points behind in seventh, with two games remaining.

Liverpool had the more presentable chances at Anfield, Philippe Coutinho and Steven Gerrard both impressing in midfield, but Everton were denied what looked a legitimate goal when Sylvain Distin saw a header ruled out in the second half.

And while they struggled to create much more in attack, Everton's robust defence, led by the commendable Phil Jagielka, secured a point which should ensure David Moyes enjoys local supremacy over Brendan Rodgers.