Willian (L) of Chelsea celebrates scoring against Everton with Cesc Fabregas during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London, February 11, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - A late Willian strike snatched a 1-0 home win for Chelsea over a stubborn Everton side to maintain their seven-point lead over Manchester City who won 4-1 at Stoke City in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Chelsea were frustrated before Willian struck from 20 metres in the 89th minute to break the resistance of Everton whose midfielder Gareth Barry had been sent off just before the goal.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scores a penalty against Stoke City during their English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England, February 11, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

City kept pace with the leaders as striker Sergio Aguero scored twice, his first goals in over two months, to help the champions to their first league win in five matches at mid-table Stoke, who briefly made it 1-1 through Peter Crouch

England midfielder James Milner and Samir Nasri also struck for City.

An unlikely brace from substitute defender Chris Smalling and a late Robin van Persie penalty lifted Manchester United to an unconvincing 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley who had equalised through Danny Ings.

United leapfrogged Arsenal and Southampton into third in the table after the latter drew 0-0 at home to West Ham United, who had goalkeeper Adrian sent off.