Man United collapse allows City to go 13 points clear in EPL

LEICESTER, England – Perhaps Jose Mourinho should have listened to the advice from Manchester United’s crosstown rivals.

That’s the Manchester City team now 13 points clear at the top of the English Premier League.

A week ago, City players were filmed in their dressing room celebrating their latest victory by singing “park the bus,” mocking the term for Mourinho’s propensity to grind out results by stifling opponents with an unambitious setup.

Which was just what United required in the closing minutes at Leicester on Saturday, holding a 2-1 lead secured by Juan Mata’s double. Instead United imploded. Another lapse in concentration allowed Harry Maguire to stun United and grab a 2-2 draw for Leicester.

It was especially costly as City surged to a 17th successive victory with Sergio Aguero scoring twice in a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth.

As City runs away with a third title since 2012, Chelsea’s title defence faltered again in a 0-0 draw at Everton. The third-place champion fell 16 points adrift of City.

Tottenham has challenged for the trophy in the last two seasons but it was far from a contender this time. In the north London club’s first away win since September, Harry Kane’s hat trick secured a 3-0 win at Burnley and a rise into fifth place.

At the other end of the standings, Stoke manager Mark Hughes claimed only a second victory in nine games. A 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion took Stoke three points clear of the relegation zone to ease the pressure on Hughes.

West Brom is only a point above last-place Swansea, which drew with Crystal Palace 1-1 in the first game since Paul Clement was fired by the south Wales club.

It’s a tight tussle above the drop zone. Newcastle beat West Ham 3-2 to move above the London club. In other results, Brighton defeated Watford 1-0, while Southampton and Huddersfield drew 1-1.

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