Chelsea back to winning ways, Leicester stay top

• Man U, Everton suffer defeat at home
• Rooney makes his 500th club appearance for United
CHELSEA’s players responded to Jose Mourinho’s departure with a comfortable 3-1 win over Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

Branislav Ivanovic opened the scoring for the hosts after just five minutes, Pedro then doubled Chelsea’s lead shortly before Oscar scored from the penalty spot on 50 minutes.

Leicester moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after holding on for a 3-2 win at Everton.

Riyad Mahrez scored from the penalty spot after 27 minutes before Romelu Lukaku scored for a seventh consecutive league game to draw the hosts level.

But another Mahrez penalty – after Jamie Vardy was brought down by Tim Howard – saw Leicester take the lead again. Shinji Okazaki then scored the third with 20 minutes remaining.

Kevin Mirallas struck late on to secure a nervy finish for Claudio Ranieri’s side, but the Foxes held on to win to go top on Christmas Day, having finished bottom at the same stage last year.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was put under further pressure after his side fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Norwich City.

Wayne Rooney returned to make his 500th appearance for United, but the captain failed to inspire the timid hosts, who mustered just two attempts on goal – one of which was Anthony Marital’s 66th-minute goal.
Norwich were already two up at that stage thanks to strikes from Cameron Jerome and Alex Tettey, and the Canaries held on for their first win at Old Trafford in 26 years.

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