Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield to extend their lead at the top of the English Premier League table to 16 points ahead of Manchester City — and with a game in hand.
It was a commanding display from Jurgen Klopp’s side who remain unbeaten this season, with goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohammed Salah doing the damage against a poor United team missing their injured talisman, Marcus Rashford.
The win was Liverpool’s 150th in all competitions under Klopp, whose side are now unbeaten in 39 games.
This means the Reds are one game from equalling Chelsea’s 40 games unbeaten run of 2004/05 season, and also need 10 games to equal Arsenal’s 49 games unbeaten record set in the 2003/04 season.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man United, who were hitherto unbeaten against top-four opposition and are the only team to take points off Liverpool this season, succumbed to a dominant Liverpool side who took an early lead and sealed the win in added time.
Liverpool started the party 14 minutes into the game as Virgil van Dijk connected to Trent-Alexander Arnold’s corner kick delivery with a bullet header which had David de Gea rooted to the spot to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Liverpool had the ball in the net two further times in the first half but both were ruled out. Roberto Firmino’s curling shot chalked off for infringement on de Gea by van Dijk in the buildup, while Georgino Wijnaldum placed finish from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s precise pass was ruled out for offside by the Dutchman.
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Unbeaten Liverpool stormed out of the blocks in the second period, Salah and Mane squandering glorious opportunities while de Gea diverted Jordan Henderson’s shot unto the bar, all in the opening four minutes of the half.
Despite bossing the half, Liverpool had to wait until added time to seal the game, Salah with his first goal against Man United.
The Egyptian striker ran through United’s half — off a counter attack –before slotting beyond de Gea for his 11th league goal of the season.
The win is the Reds’ 21st from 22 games, garnering 64 points, while Man United are rooted to fifth position on 34 points, five points off the much coveted top-four slot
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…Chelsea lose, Man City and Arsenal drop points
Chelsea succumbs to a surprise 0-1 loss at Newcastle United courtesy of a last-minute goal.
The Blues dominated the entire game but could not break down the home side’s defence led by brilliant saves from Martin Dubravka. Frank Lampard’s side still hold on to fourth place despite the loss.
Second placed Manchester City drew 2-2 against Crystal Palace at the Etihad stadium despite Sergio Aguero scoring twice to help Goardiola’s men take the lead. A 90th-minute Fernandinho own goal ensured a share of the spoils which handed Liverpool the chance to increase their lead to 16 points.
Results
Watford 0-0 Tottenham
Southampton 2-3 Wolves
Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa
West Ham 1-1 Everton
Arsenal 1-1 Sheffield United
Norwich City 1-0 Bournemouth
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace
Burnley 2-1 Leicester City
Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal
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