Defending champions Chelsea were at their blunt best again after they failed to score for the third successive game in all competitions as they played out a disappointing goalless draw at home to the immediate past champions Leicester City.

The Blues had drawn blank against Norwich City in the FA Cup and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup before following those results up with another scoreless performance though they were lucky to finish the fame with a point due to the amount of very good opportunities the visitors created especially in the first half.

Chelsea fail to topple Manchester United into second place with the barren draw as they stay third with Antonio Conte’s men now in danger of slipping down to 4th if Liverpool beat league leaders Manchester City in the late game on Sunday.

The champions’ London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have closed in on a top four place after they produced an emphatic 4-0 win over Everton at their adopted home, Wembley Stadium.

Harry Kane netted a brace to set a new record for Premier League goals scored by a Tottenham player (98 goals) either side of goals from the in-form Heung-Min Son and Cristian Eriksen.

Tottenham are now level on points with Liverpool in 4th place ahead of the Reds’ mammoth clash with Manchester City.

In the pick of the other games on Saturday, Midlands club West Brom ended a 20-game winless run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Brighton courtesy goals from club captain Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson.

Week 23 Results (Saturday)

Huddersfield Town 1-4 West Ham United

Chelsea 0-0 Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Everton

Watford 2-2 Southampton

West Brom 2-0 Brighton

Newcastle United 1-1 Swansea City

Crystal Palace 1-0 Burnley

Standings (Top 6) via Points:

1. Manchester City 62

2. Manchester United 47

3. Chelsea 47

4. Liverpool 44

5. Tottenham 44

6. Arsenal 39