Milner denies Hull win; Blues stretch lead at top after victory at Villa

Manchester City’s Barclays Premier League title hopes suffered another setback as they needed an stoppage-time equaliser from James Milner to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Hull.

David Meyler capitalised on poor City defending to fire Steve Bruce’s side ahead in the 35th minute, thus condemning City to a fifth match without a win in all competitions.

That wretched run, which has yielded just two points from a possible 12 and seen them knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough, has seen them drop seven points behind leaders Chelsea after Jose Mourinho’s men won 2-1 at Aston Villa.

To make matters worse for the champions, they were up against a Tigers side who came into the game in the relegation zone and on the back of four straight defeats.

A first goal in five matches helped Hull stop the rot and move out of the bottom three, but were denied all three points by Milner’s brilliant free-kick two minutes into time added on.

Chelsea were also facing a team for whom goalscoring has become alien and sealed victory thanks to efforts from Eden Hazard after eight minutes and Branislav Ivanovic with a brilliant volley after 66.

In between times Jores Okore ended Villa’s 11-hour wait for a goal in the league, but it was not enough to earn a point.

Southampton moved up to third as Sadio Mane’s goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time sealed a 1-0 win at QPR in struggling Rangers’ first match since the departure of Harry Redknapp. QPR had an even later effort ruled out.

Crystal Palace’s revival under Alan Pardew continued as Joe Ledley’s goal earned them a 1-0 success at bottom side Leicester.

Swansea came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Sunderland, Ki Sung-yueng’s equaliser cancelling out Jermain Defoe’s opener.