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Cisse ends Chelsea run, Stoke sink Arsenal

By AFP December 6th, 2014 2 min read

Substitute Papiss Cisse claimed a brace as leaders Chelsea’s hopes of completing the Premier League season unbeaten were dashed by a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Cisse scored twice in the second half and despite Steven Taylor being sent off for Newcastle and Didier Drogba replying late on for the visitors, Alan Pardew’s side held on for a third consecutive home win over Chelsea.

“My team lost the way I like to lose, which is to give everything and being unlucky. Only one team played to win,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told the BBC. “I’m not obsessed with records and statistics. That’s not for me. I want to win the league.”

As well as defending champions City, Chelsea’s loss will also offer hope to third-place Southampton and fourth-place Manchester United, who meet at St Mary’s on Monday.

OFF THE PACE

But Arsenal squandered an opportunity to take advantage after falling to a 3-2 defeat at Stoke that left Arsene Wenger’s side 13 points off the pace in sixth place.

Arsenal have struggled on their recent trips to the Britannia Stadium and on this occasion they fell behind after only 19 seconds, with Peter Crouch bundling home.

Bojan Krkic volleyed in a cross from Jonathan Walters in the 35th minute and Walters added a third on the stroke of half-time by lashing home from close range.

A Santi Cazorla penalty and an Aaron Ramsey volley took Arsenal to the verge of a comeback, but the visitors’ momentum disappeared after defender Calum Chambers was shown a second yellow card for pulling back Bojan.

WINNING RUN

Liverpool saw a three-game winning run come to an end with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland, while Tottenham Hotspur were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

Queens Park Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone by winning 2-0 at home to Burnley on what proved an eventful afternoon for QPR striker Charlie Austin against his former club.

Austin teed up Leroy Fer’s 51st-minute opener before slotting in his seventh goal of the campaign with 19 minutes left, only to then be sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Michael Keane.

QPR moved out of the bottom three at the expense of Hull City, who drew 0-0 at home to fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion.

Saturday results:

Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 1

Liverpool 0 Sunderland 0

Stoke City 3 Arsenal 2

QPR 2 Burnley 0

Tottenham 0 Crystal Palace 0

Hull City 0 West Brom 0