Liverpool march on, Spurs thumped again
Liverpool won a 17th straight game in the Premier League – and moved one off the record set by Manchester City in 2017 – by beating Leicester 2-1 at Anfield, with James Milner converting a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
‘‘Without luck, we cannot win the amount of games we have won,’’ said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who let out a roar, punched the air and cupped his ears to the jubilant home crowd after a goal that sealed an eighth win in a row to open this league campaign.
Seeking a first top-flight title since 1990 and the 19th in their history, the Reds moved eight points clear of second-place City, whose played Wolverhampton Wanderers at home this morning.
Four years and a day since he was fired by Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers returned to Anfield with Leicester and looked like becoming the first coach since his predecessor, Claude Puel, to prevent the Reds winning at home in the league. That was in January, while Liverpool last failed to win a match home or away in March.
Yet Leicester substitute Marc Albrighton ruined his team’s strong display by fouling Sadio Mane in the area, three minutes into injury time. After a delay for a VAR check, Milner held his nerve from the penalty spot.
‘‘We had to dig deep and find the points – the boys have done it time and time again,’’ Milner said.
While it couldn’t be going any better for the European champions, the team they beat in last season’s Champions League final is struggling badly four months later.
Tottenham followed up a 7-2 midweek loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League – the biggest home defeat in the club’s 137-year history – with their heaviest Premier League loss in nearly two years, 3-0 at lowly Brighton.
Tottenham conceded the opening goal in the third minute, after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris dropped the ball on his own goal line and fell back to the ground, seriously hurting his left elbow and requiring a trip to the hospital. Tottenham later said Lloris sustained a broken elbow.
Under-pressure Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged he was going through the toughest period of his six years in charge of the London club, but said: ‘‘Now is a moment to be strong.’’
Aston Villa put on a show for its most famous fan.
Britain’s Prince William was in the stands at Norwich’s Carrow Road stadium with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and their children to watch Villa win 5-1 – their biggest victory since returning to the top flight.
Brazilian striker Wesley scored twice in the first half, before Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Douglas Luiz added further goals.
In other matches, Everton lost 1-0 at Burnley, Watford and Sheffield United drew 0-0 and Crystal Palace beat West Ham 2-1.