Mane’s double sinks Chelsea, Son bags four

More than US$250 million (NZ$369.5 million) spent trying to catch Liverpool, and Chelsea are still far from the level of the Premier League champions.

Two months since Chelsea finished 33 points behind Liverpool, a 2-0 loss yesterday to Jurgen Klopp’s side showed just how far the gap is to be bridged.

For all the attacking options now available for Frank Lampard, the Chelsea manager was let down by a reckless foul by defender Andreas Christensen and yet another blunder by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

What had been a tepid game swung in Liverpool’s favour in first-half stoppage time when Christensen grabbed Sadio Mane from behind with both hands, hauling down the winger and seeing red.

With a man advantage, an assertive Liverpool pressed immediately after the break – and took just five minutes to go in front.

An interchange between Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah ended with Mane heading into the net.

It took four minutes to double the lead – helped by Kepa.

The Chelsea goalkeeper stopped Fikayo Tomori’s back pass before trying to clear to Jorginho. It was easily intercepted by Mane, who slotted into the net.

With spectators still prohibited from stadiums to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Chelsea players were at least avoided any taunting chants from Liverpool fans.

Son Heung-min was set up four times by Harry Kane as Tottenham beat Southampton 5-2.

After Kane demonstrated his vision and technique to produce more assists than he managed all of last season, the striker grabbed the fifth for Tottenham, who had to come from behind after

Danny Ings’ opener for Southampton.

After opening the league season with a loss to Everton, Tottenham registered their first win a day after Gareth Bale returned to the London club.

Both Kane and Ings had openers ruled out by VAR before the glut of goals finally begun.

Leicester sent out a warning to their Premier League rivals as midfielder Dennis Praet’s thunderbolt sealed a 4-2 win over Burnley.

The victory at the King Power Stadium left Leicester top of the early table on goal difference.

All Whites striker Chris Wood’s opener for Burnley in the 10th minute briefly threatened to derail Brendan Rodgers’ side and while Jimmy Dunne pulled a goal back, the Foxes were comfortable winners.

In the other match yesterday, Neal Maupay scored twice in the opening seven minutes to set Brighton on their way to a 3-0 victory at Newcastle.