RELEGATION LOOMS FOR BORO
Middlesbrough`s relegation fears grew as Jesse Lingard's thunderous strike lit up what ended up being a nervy Manchester United win.
The England winger took aim from 25 yards and found the top right-hand corner with an outstanding effort, deservedly adding to Marouane Fellaini's first-half header.
It had looked like United's 600th Premier League win would be straightforward against goal-shy Boro, only for Rudy Gestede to capitalise on lax defending to reduce the deficit -- his side's first league goal since Jan. 31.
Belief grew around the Riverside only for an embarrassing moment to settle the match as Antonio Valencia capitalised on former United teammate Victor Valdes' slip to wrap up a win that moves his side up to fifth.
Tempers frayed towards the end of a match, with Gestede and Eric Bailly squaring up to each other with tensions still high as the players made their way down the tunnel after the final whistle blew.
NO HARRY KANE, NO PROBLEM FOR SPURS
Tottenham Hotspur cut Chelsea`s lead at the top of the table to 10 points as they saw off Southampton 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Sunday notching up their 10th home league win a row in the process.
Spurs made the brighter start and created the first chance after only three minutes when Son Heung-Min got behind the defence to fire in a half-volley that was tipped away by Southampton goal keeper Fraser Forster.
Eric Dier found himself in the book after only 11 minutes when he crunched into a challenge on in-form Southampton attacker Nathan Redmond.
But two minutes later the home side were ahead as Christian Eriksen controlled a Mousa Dembele pass and fired a superb low strike into the corner from the edge of the area.
Southampton almost found themselves back on level terms when a powerful Oriol Romeu shot from distance swerved past the post, but they were grateful to Forster after 23 minutes as he made a fine stop to claw away Toby Alderweireld's glancing header.
In-form Manolo Gabbiadini bent an instinctive first-time effort just wide as Saints responded and Dusan Tadic blazed over from seven yards after Redmond had nudged a deep cross back into his path.
Gabbiadini suffered an injury in the buildup to his attempt and was replaced by Shane Long -- and soon afterwards Tottenham had a 2-0 lead.
Southampton failed to clear a loose ball and, as it ricocheted around the area, Steven Davis was adjudged to have brought down Dele Alli.
Alli got back to his feet to send Forster the wrong way from the penalty spot and double the advantage after 32 minutes.
It looked as though Southampton should have had a penalty in first-half added time when Davies chopped down Tadic, but the referee waved play on as Mauricio Pochettino's side reached the break with a two-goal cushion.
That cushion was reduced six minutes after the break when two home defenders failed to cut out a Ryan Bertrand cross into the area and James Ward-Prowse finished neatly to put the visitors back into the game.
Son fired wide as Spurs looked to reassert themselves before a Long effort was stopped by Lloris with Southampton growing in confidence.
The visitors began to force Tottenham back without being able to create clear openings, Long caught offside when a good move had opened up what appeared to be a great chance to cross.
Substitute Vincent Janssen saw his powerful strike pushed away by Forster as the game entered its closing minutes, and Tottenham saw out five minutes of stoppage time to take another three home points.
AGUERO TO THE RESCUE FOR CITY
Manchester City and Liverpool settled for a point each in their battle for Champions League qualification after a thrilling 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Former City player James Milner put Liverpool ahead in a ferocious, end-to-end Premier League contest with a 51st-minute penalty but Sergio Aguero's 25th goal of the season earned City a share of the spoils.
Both sides had numerous chances to score a winner with City, responding well after their Champions League loss in Monaco, going closest when Kevin De Bruyne hit the post.
The first half, which started in heavy rain, was open, fast-paced and keenly fought. Both teams showed a determination to attack while some of the challenges were fierce.
Yaya Toure received the first yellow card after he caught Liverpool midfielder Emre Can on the shoulder with his studs as he slid in,
With David Silva pulling the strings, City made the best of the early running although Raheem Sterling's eagerness to shine against his former club saw him stray offside several times.
City had penalty appeals rejected after Aguero went down following attention from Joel Matip and when Sterling claimed he was clipped by Milner as he looked to strike from close range. In the latter instance, City could still have taken the lead as the ball ran on to Fernandinho but the Brazilian shot wide of the goal.
Liverpool were also a penalty kick after Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane went down following contact with Nicolas Otamendi and Georginio Wijnaldum thought he was tripped.
Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana then both forced good saves from Caballero before John Stones did well to block a shot on the turn from Matip.
Liverpool were awarded a penalty early in the second half after Gael Clichy was adjudged to have bundled Firmino over, James Milner made no mistake from the spot.
The equaliser came after De Bruyne found space on the right and curled in a dangerous low ball for Aguero to clip home from six yards. City pressed again and De Bruyne fired against the post after Aguero lost his balance looking to shoot himself.
Liverpool should have scored 11 minutes from time when Firmino got behind the defence to tee up Lallana but the England man, wide open as City wrongly assumed he was offside, missed his kick.
As the drama continued, Sterling poked narrowly wide as he latched onto a brilliant ball from Silva and Firmino drove another effort wide. Aguero could have had the final word but twice missed the target late on.
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