Chelsea closer to title after goalless draw against Arsenal; Everton cruise past limping Manchester United

Chelsea ground out a goalless draw at Arsenal to move a step closer to the title on a day when referee Michael Oliver was the centre of attention.

The first half was full of big talking points despite the lack of goals. After Branislav Ivanovic was let off with a warning for a heavy foul on Alexis Sanchez, Oliver waved off three penalty appeals before the break.

In the 15th minute, Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina raced off his line to reach a through-ball for Oscar but got nowhere near it, colliding heavily with the Chelsea No. 10 after he chipped the ball goalward. Hector Bellerin raced back to quickly head the ball off the line but Oscar required several minutes of medical attention before returning to the game.

Then, in the 23rd minute, Cesc Fabregas went down under a challenge from Santi Cazorla, but Oliver booked Fabregas for simulation.

On 34 minutes, Chelsea defender Gary Cahill blocked Cazorla's shot with his arm inside the penalty area after the Spaniard flicked Bellerin's cross sharply towards goal.

Oscar had to be substituted at half-time amid fears he had suffered concussion, and he was replaced by Didier Drogba as Jose Mourinho finally brought an orthodox striker into his team.

However, it did little to liven up proceedings as the second half began in tepid fashion.

Arsenal later had a couple of half-chances, with Santi Cazorla firing wide from close range in the 75th minute, and Danny Welbeck might have turned home a cross in injury time, but ultimately the match finished goalless.

Chelsea now cannot take the title with victory over Leicester on Wednesday, but their players celebrated at the final whistle as they edged ever closer to becoming champions of England.

Manchester United, who lost 1-0 at Chelsea last weekend, went into the match in fourth place and looking to move back ahead of local rivals Manchester City in the race for an automatic Champions League qualification spot.

However, Everton were ahead inside the opening five minutes, with James McCarthy bursting through the United defence before firing a shot past David De Gea.

Both sides then had chances during an open first half but, while United dominated possession, Everton were the more incisive, and they doubled their advantage on 35 minutes when John Stones rose to head home a Leighton Baines corner.

Louis van Gaal reacted by replacing Marouane Fellaini, who had been booked, with Radamel Falcao after the break, and Angel Di Maria came on for Juan Mata on 63 minutes.

However, it was Everton substitute Kevin Mirallas who made an impact, catching the United defence cold as he latched onto Ross Barkley's throughball to slot past De Gea.

Mirallas then forced a fine save from the United goalkeeper with five minutes remaining, but there were no further goals as Everton recorded a fourth victory in five games as they look to end a disappointing season on a high.