Liverpool responds to stay top after Manchester City win

MANCHESTER City claimed the Premier League summit only to be swiftly knocked off it by Liverpool on Saturday, in a sign of what is likely to be in store over the coming weeks in a nail-biting title race.

Erling Haaland’s double — his first goals since returning from a foot injury — earned champions Manchester City a 2-0 victory over an obdurate Everton side at The Etihad Stadium.

That cranked up the pressure on Liverpool but Juergen Klopp’s side duly responded by beating Burnley 3-1 with Dioga Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez all on target.

It meant the day ended as it had begun with Liverpool two points clear of City, who have played one game less.

Liverpool have 54 points from 24 games with City on 52 from 23 and third-placed Arsenal, who face West Ham United on Sunday, on 49 from 23 games.

Mr. Klopp’s side, beaten by Arsenal last week, were not at their best again and had to work hard to subdue Burnley who actually equalized through Dara O’Shea’s header and looked capable of taking something home as they battle against relegation.

Mr. Jota headed Liverpool into the lead in the 31st minute and Mr. Diaz and Mr. Nunez, also with headers, secured the victory after the break to return Liverpool above City.

City also found Everton a tough nut to crack and they did not muster a shot on target in the opening half.

Such is the firepower available to Pep Guardiola that even the stiffest resistance is usually pierced and Mr. Haaland’s return to the scoresheet was inevitable. His 15th and 16th goals of the season saw the Norwegian reclaim sole top spot in the league’s scorer list — his second set up by Kevin De Bruyne, also recently back from injury.

Tottenham Hotspur moved back into the top four — leapfrogging Aston Villa — thanks to Brennan Johnson who struck deep in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 home victory against Brighton and Hove Albion. —