Mohamed Salah returned with a objective as Premier League leaders Liverpool routed Brentford 4-1 regardless of a rash of accidents, whereas Manchester City’s title defence was broken by a 1-1 draw towards Chelsea on Saturday.
Arsenal demolished Burnley 5-0 to maintain the strain on Liverpool, who’re two factors above the second-positioned Gunners and 4-forward of third positioned City.
Salah got here off the bench to switch the injured Diogo Jota in his first Liverpool look since their win over Newcastle on New Year’s Day.
Having returned from the hamstring harm he sustained on Egypt obligation on the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah made up for misplaced time together with his first objective for the Reds for the reason that Newcastle recreation.
The 31-yr-outdated’s nineteenth objective in all competitions this time period put Liverpool on course for a sixth win of their final seven league video games.
The a lot-maligned Darwin Nunez had given Jurgen Klopp’s aspect the lead with a chic chip late within the first half on the Gtech Community Stadium.
Alexis Mac Allister doubled Liverpool’s benefit after the interval with simply his second objective this season.
Ivan Toney bought one again for Brentford, however Cody Gakpo netted within the closing phases.
While the victory was useful for Klopp, it got here with a draw back as first-half accidents to Nunez, Jota and Curtis Jones added to Liverpool’s more and more packed remedy room.
“Mo played the first game for weeks. He could have had a hat-trick. The goal he scored was absolutely outstanding,” Klopp stated.
“It would be helpful if we had a bit more than one player for each position. But that’s the situation and we cannot change it.”
Manchester City’s try to win an unprecedented fourth successive title is underneath menace after a disappointing consequence on the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea took the lead within the forty first minute as former City winger Raheem Sterling took Nicolas Jackson’s go and curled his shot into the far nook from 12 yards.
City laid siege to the Chelsea objective and eventually drew degree within the 83rd minute when Rodri’s shot deflected in off Trevoh Chalobah.
Pep Guardiola’s males, who’ve a recreation in hand on Liverpool, preserved their lengthy unbeaten residence league run, however failing to win for the primary time in 12 video games in all competitions was a vital setback.
Frustrated by Erling Haaland’s miscues, Guardiola stated: “I played 11 years and scored 11 goals so I can’t give too much advice to Erling. The next one he will score.
“In the first half we didn’t perform well and that’s what we have to improve.”
Rampant Arsenal
At Turf Moor, Arsenal made it 5 consecutive wins with one other show of their objective energy.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect have crushed Liverpool and gained 6-0 at West Ham of their most notable outcomes since a revitalising heat-climate coaching camp in Dubai.
And they had been too sizzling for second-backside Burnley to deal with from the fourth minute when Martin Odegaard drilled residence from Gabriel Martinelli’s go.
Bukayo Saka netted with a forty first-minute penalty awarded for Lorenz Assignon’s foul on Leandro Trossard.
Saka struck once more two minutes after half-time, rifling into the highest nook from Odegaard’s go because the England winger made it six objectives in his final 4 video games.
Trossard bought the fourth from shut vary within the 66th minute and Kai Havertz transformed Jakub Kiwior’s go with 12 minutes left.
“We are generating competition within the squad. They are a joy to work with. They want more, that’s the good thing,” Arteta stated.
Tottenham’s prime 4 bid suffered a blow as Joao Gomes struck twice in Wolves’ shock 2-1 win in north London.
Aston Villa took benefit of Tottenham’s stumble to climb again into fourth place with a 2-1 win at Fulham because of Ollie Watkins’ brace.
Nottingham Forest beat West Ham 2-0 on the City Ground in a main enhance to their survival hopes.
Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe averted defeat towards his former membership Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
