Alonso winner helps Chelsea sink Saints

London - Chelsea kept their faint Premier League title hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Southampton.

With runaway leaders Manchester City in action against Tottenham Hotspur later on Saturday, the focus turned to the clubs desperately trying to hang onto their coat-tails.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea sealed their second successive win to move within 11 points of City and draw level on points with second-placed Manchester United, who face West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

After a tame opening from the champions, who started with star striker Alvaro Morata on the bench following a back injury, Antonio Conte's side finally opened the scoring in first-half stoppage-time.

Marcos Alonso provided the breakthrough, the Spanish wing-back curling a free-kick past flat-footed Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster from 35 yards.

Chelsea have won eight of their last 10 league matches, but City remain out of reach for now.