Liverpool goes seven clear
LONDON: Liverpool is seven points clear on top of the English Premier League after a hardfought 10 away win at Brighton.
Without a shot on target in the first half, Jurgen Klopp’s side struck early in the second after Pascal Gross fouled Mohamed Salah and the Egyptian fired in the spotkick.
Yesterday’s victory extends Liverpool’s lead, ahead of thirdplaced Tottenham’s match today with Manchester United and secondplaced Manchester City’s meeting with Wolves tomorrow.
Liverpool have conceded just 10 goals this season in 22 league matches.
‘‘You have to work hard if you want to be successful, and we were ready for it,’’ Klopp said. ‘‘Be ready for the defending, be ready for the counterpress and be ready to make solutions.
‘‘I think it was the most mature performance we have made so far.’’
Skilful finishes from Pedro and Willian earned Chelsea a 21 win over battling Newcastle, keeping the London side fourth, just a point behind rivals Spurs.
A pinpoint David Luizlofted pass in the ninth minute found Pedro, and the Spain forward deftly chipped the ball over Martin Dubravka.
Despite Chelsea’s overwhelming possession, Ciaran Clark equalised for Newcastle from a corner in the 40th minute, heading inside the right post.
Chelsea found a winner in the 57th minute. Eden Hazard forced his way down the middle and laid off the ball to Willian, who curled in an exquisite shot.
‘‘We started well but, after the goal, we slept for 20 minutes so, by the end of the first half, we were in trouble,’’ Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said.
‘‘We were better in the second half. I’m very happy with [the] result but we need to improve, mentally and technically.’’
Newcastle squandered several late chances, frustrating coach Rafael Benitez.
‘‘You could see a lot of positives with the performance but no points. We knew that they would keep the ball and we had to maximise what we did when we got the ball. We had some chances on the counter but our final pass wasn’t there.’’
Arsenal slumped to a 10 defeat at West Ham, with Declan Rice scoring his first goal for the Hammers.
Former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, rebuilding his career at West Ham after a doping ban, and in his EPL debut for the club, put on a neat layoff that provided midfielder Rice the space to curl a superb shot past Bernd Leno.
West Ham coach Manuel Pel legrini was full of praise.
‘‘He [Rice] has showed good technique and [been] good in aerial duels. I think we are seeing the complete player. At 19 years old, I am sure we will see a top, top player,’’ Pellegrini said.
Burnley recorded a fourthstraight win in all competitions, coming back to beat Fulham 21 courtesy of two owngoals.
Watford beat Crystal Palace 21, while Southampton climbed out of the drop zone with a 21 away win at Leicester, and Cardiff and Huddersfield finished 00. — Reuters/DPA