EPL results: Liverpool beat Sheffield as Man United, Chelsea draw

October 24, 2020 11:04 pm

Liverpool, English Premier League (EPL) champions, returned to winning ways on Saturday, courtesy of a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Sheffield United at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s team had gone two games without a win and also lost Virgil van Dijk, their defence leader, to a long-term injury at Everton last weekend.

They finally secured their first win in three games through goals from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.

The win takes Liverpool back into second place on the EPL table, level on 13 points with Everton, their city rivals who have played a game less.

Sheffield United took the lead on 13 minutes when the video assistant referee (VAR) system adjudged Fabinho’s tackle to have happened inside the box, and Sander Berge coolly converted for a one-nil lead.

Sheffield United carried more attacking threats and were unlucky not to increase their lead, no thanks to wayward finishing and saves from Alisson Becker, Liverpool goalkeeper.

The Reds would eventually equalise four minutes from half time through Firmino. The Brazilian international was on hand to bundle home the rebound after Mohamed Salah’s shot was parried into his path by Aaron Ramsdale, Sheffield United goalkeeper.

While Sheffield United continued to show attacking threats, it was Liverpool that took the lead on 64 minutes through Jota, their summer signing. The Portuguese winger was on hand to convert Sadio Mane’s cross for a 2-1 win.

In other games, Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United in the early game of the day. The Cityzens required a second-half goal from Phil Foden to cancel out Michael Antonio’s superb first-half overhead volley for West Ham.

Pep Guardiola’s City pinned West Ham in their half for most of the second period but could not find a way through as the home side ended a run of eight straight losses at the hands of Man City.

Manchester United had a similar outcome in a drab 0-0 draw against Chelsea at the Old Trafford. It was a second clean sheet for Chelsea while United earned their first shutout in defence for the first time this season.

Chelsea had Edouard Mendy, their recently signed goalkeeper, to thank for keeping the scoreline even as the 28-year-old Senegalese denied Marcus Rashford with two brilliant saves in each half.

RESULTS