Chelsea go four points clear

Chelsea took full advantage of Arsenal's defeat to go four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Andre Schurrle's hat-trick inspired the Blues to a 3-1 win at west London rivals Fulham.

Jose Mourinho's men were distinctly lacklustre in a goalless opening period but sparked into life in the second half, with Schurrle scoring three in 16 minutes to extend Chelsea's unbeaten run in the league to 13 matches.

The German beat the offside trap and latched on to Eden Hazard's ball over the top before slotting home seven minutes after half-time and the duo combined once more as Schurrle doubled the visitors' advantage just after the hour mark.

Fernando Torres then played Schurrle through to all but seal victory before Johnny Heitinga's first goal for Fulham gave the Cottagers a glimmer of hope.

It proved to be nothing more than a consolation, however, as Felix Magath's first home game in charge ended in defeat, with his side firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

Arsenal fell four points behind their title rivals after Jon Walters' penalty gave Stoke a 1-0 win at the Britannia Stadium.

Walters had missed four of his past six efforts from the spot but made no mistake when given the chance against the Gunners, steering his effort into the bottom corner in the 76th minute, after Laurent Koscielny was adjudged to have handled in the area.

It was Arsenal's second successive defeat in the league away from home and leaves question marks over their title credentials.

Moussa Sissoko scored twice as Newcastle claimed an impressive 4-1 victory at Hull although Magpies boss Alan Pardew may find himself in hot water after being sent to the stands for appearing to headbutt Tigers midfielder David Meyler.

Sissoko opened the scoring in the 10th minute following Mathieu Debuchy's cutback, while Loic Remy put them two ahead just before the break after an error from Maynor Figueroa allowed the Frenchman to go clean through on goal.

Although Curtis Davies pulled one back with a header from Tom Huddlestone's free-kick, Sissoko restored Newcastle's two-goal cushion on the rebound after Yohan Gouffran's shot was saved before Pardew saw red after a flare up with Meyler, who was booked for his part in the fracas.

Vurnon Anita bundled in another rebound for the visitors to give them a clinical win although they remain in eighth place.

On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku struck late on to give Everton all three points in their 1-0 win against West Ham.

The Belgian picked up Leighton Baines' precision pass before firing past Hammers goalkeeper Adrian and take Roberto Martinez's side within two points of fifth-placed Tottenham.