EPL: Lampard keeps pressure on Chelsea

Man City's Frank Lampard celebrates a goal against Leicester City on Saturday

Leicester: Manchester City made it seven straight victories and kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea as Frank Lampard's first-half goal secured a 1-0 win at lowly Leicester City on Saturday.


Man City's Frank Lampard celebrates a goal against Leicester City on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

Manuel Pellegrini's side were far from their clinical best at the King Power Stadium, but the winner from former Chelsea midfielder Lampard ensured the champions remain just three points behind his old club.

There was a significant blow for City however as captain Vincent Kompany, who had returned after a hamstring problem, was forced off with a recurrence of the same injury.

Dzeko pulls out
To make matters worse, City - who were already without Sergio Aguero due to a knee injury - lost another striker in the warm-up with Edin Dzeko pulling out to be replaced by youngster Jose Angel Pozo.

Meanwhile, Diego Costa struck his 12th goal of the season as Chelsea maintained their three-point lead at the Premier League summit with a 2-0 victory over Hull City on Saturday.

Eden Hazard put Jose Mourinho's side ahead in the seventh minute at Stamford Bridge and Costa wrapped up the win shortly after Hull's Tom Huddlestone had been dismissed for an ugly challenge on Filipe Luis on the hour.

Chelsea extend lead
The victory helped Chelsea re-assert their status as league leaders after last weekend's defeat at Newcastle United, while defeat means Hull, who slipped to second-bottom, have now gone nine games without a win.

The mid-week Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon had helped Mourinho's side put the Newcastle loss behind them. But having dropped five points in their previous three league games, the meeting with Steve Bruce's Hull had acquired added importance for the home side.