Leicester City recover from Chelsea defeat but Sunderland close gap in fight for Premier League survival

Queens Park Rangers and Burnley were beaten on Saturday afternoon in the English Premier League to leave them staring at the exit door. Leicester City and Sunderland gave themselves hope with wins over Newcastle United and Southampton respectively.

Leicester City coach Nigel Pearson has led his team to five wins in six Premier League matches Reuters/Paul Burrows

Relegation-haunted Leicester City bounced back on Saturday afternoon from their midweek defeat at home to Chelsea by annihilating Newcastle United 3-0.

The King Power Stadium was energised within 38 seconds when Leonardo Ulloa headed in Marc Albrighton's corner.

Defender Wes Morgan prodded in City's second after 17 minutes and Ulloa wrapped up the points from the penalty spot just after the pause.

It was Newcastle's eighth straight defeat and their 12th in 16 Premier League games. Manager John Carver also lost the services of Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat for their next match after both defenders were sent off for two bookable offences.

The victory for Leicester City took them 17th, one point above the drop zone.

Nigel Pearson's team languished for 140 days in the relegation places before their recent surge to safety. If they survive, it will be the first time a side has maintained their Premier League status after spending so long in the bottom three.

Newcastle's slump prompted some of the travelling fans to remain behind at the King Power Stadium. They unfurled a banner with the words: "We don't want a team that wins. We want a team that tries."

Newcastle are 15th with 34 points after 35 games and aren't quite yet in the relegation quagmire.

Fellow north-easterners Sunderland are involved in that battle for survival. And though they stay 18th - in the relegation zone - they moved to within one point of Leicester City with a 2-1 victory over Southampton.

Sunderland, who have played one game less than Leicester City, took the lead mid-way through the first half from the penalty spot. Jordi Gomez converted the kick after Jose Fonte fouled Danny Graham.

Within two minutes Sadio Mane had levelled for Southampton.

Gomez got his second of the game in the second half - also from the penalty spot - after Jamie Ward-Prowse brought down Jermaine Defoe.

Queens Park Rangers and Burnley look doomed. QPR lost 2-1 at Liverpool. Leroy Fer got QPR's goal either side of strikes at Anfield from Philippe Coutinho and Steven Gerrard. The west Londoners remain in 19th place with 27 points. They have three games to play and are seven points from safety.

Burnley went down 1-0 at West Ham United. Kevin Noble scored from the spot after Michael Duff brought down Cheikhou Kouyate.

Duff was also sent off for the foul in the box. It's likely to be the last penalty he'll concede in the Premier League.