Santiago Cordero scored two tries as Exeter survived a late rally from Worcester to move eight points clear at the top of the Gallagher Premiership with a 33-30 bonus-point win at Sixways.

Olly Woodburn, Harry Williams and Tom O’Flaherty also scored tries for Exeter with Gareth Steenson converting four.

Bryce Heem, Tom Howe, Chris Pennell and Ted Hill scored Worcester’s tries with Duncan Weir kicking two penalties and Pennell a conversion and the hosts now find themselves firmly in a relegation battle with Newcastle’s win bringing them to within three points of Warriors at the foot of the table.

Pennell led out Worcester to become the first player to make 150 Premiership appearances for the club and his side got the start they wanted when an early penalty from Weir put them in front.

However the lead was short-lived as O’Flaherty brushed aside some weak tackling to give Woodburn the chance to send Cordero over.

Worcester responded with a period of pressure with Howe making two powerful bursts down the right flank but stout defence from Chiefs saw them win a crucial turnover to keep their line intact.

Warriors then lost centre Francois Venter to a failed head injury assessment with Ollie Lawrence coming on to replace the South African to immediately impress with a number of fierce tackles.

The visitors dominated the second quarter with O’Flaherty and Cordero testing Warriors with their elusive running and it was the Argentine who rewarded a succession of forward drives by scoring his second try.

Steenson converted but Weir kicked a second penalty to keep Worcester in contention and moments before the interval, the home side conceded a crucial try.

O’Flaherty kicked ahead but Howe looked to have got back to avert the danger only to see the ball slip from his grasp and Woodburn was on hand to pick up and score. Steenson’s conversion gave his side a 19-6 half-time lead.

After the restart, Exeter prop Greg Holmes was sin-binned for a high challenge on Lawrence and in his absence, Heem scored a splendid individual try by powering past a couple of defenders.

Worcester’s hopes of a revival were dashed as Cordero sailed past Ryan Mills to create a well-deserved try for O’Flaherty but Warriors showed spirit to score a second try through Hill.

Williams scored Exeter’s fifth from close range before Worcester’s brave effort was maintained with a try from Howe after Cordero had missed a tackle on Heem before Pennell’s solo try earned Worcester two valuable bonus points.