Christmas hangover for contenders

Mercurial Chelsea winger Eden Hazard fires a shot into the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1 against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Leaders Chelsea and second-place Manchester City both succumbed to post-Christmas hangovers on Sunday as they dropped points in the Premier League title race.

Chelsea drew 1-1 at Southampton, presenting City with a chance to close to within a point of the summit, but the champions fluffed their lines by blowing a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home to second-bottom Burnley.

The results preserved the status quo at the summit, where Chelsea lead City by three points ahead of the New Year's Day programme.

Chelsea fell behind in the 17th minute Dusan Tadic freed Sadio Mane, who coolly lobbed Thibaut Courtois.

Eden Hazard equalised in first-half injury time but Jose Mourinho's side were unable to find a winner

At the Etihad Stadium, David Silva put City ahead in the 23rd minute and Samir Nasri teed up Fernandinho to crash home a stunning second goal from the edge of the box 10 minutes later.

But Burnley replied through George Boyd early in the second half before Ashley Barnes slammed in an equaliser from 15 yards with nine minutes to play.

Manchester United squandered an opportunity to put pressure on the top two after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Louis van Gaal's side created a string of chances, but Hugo Lloris produced a number of excellent saves, with both teams settling for a point.

With United, Spurs and Southampton dropping points, Arsenal capitalised by leapfrogging West Ham into fifth place with a 2-1 victory at Upton Park.