Liverpool denied derby win by VAR as Chelsea held in six-goal thriller
LI ERPOOL were denied a cathartic victory against Premier League leaders Everton by AR and Chelsea drew 3-3 with Southampton on another day of breathless drama in the English top-flight on Saturday.
Manchester City beat Arsenal 1-0 as Pep Guardiola got the better of former assistant Mikel Arteta, while misfiring Manchester United prepared to take on Newcastle in the late kick-off.
Jurgen Klopp’s champions were desperate to atone for their 7-2 mauling against Aston illa before the international break but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw after Jordan Henderson’s late strike was chalked off for offside.
Everton, who have not beaten Liverpool since 2010, remain three points clear of their Merseyside rivals at the top of the table after a number of controversial calls went their way at Goodison Park.
But Klopp was mystified that Henderson’s potential winner in added time against 10-man Everton was ruled out for a barely perceptible offside decision against Sadio Mane.
He was also at a loss to explain how Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had not been dismissed and had not conceded an early penalty for a knee-high challenge on irgil van Dijk.
“There were a number of big moments in the game,” said a baffled Klopp. “The only situation I saw back is the Henderson goal and I didn’t see offside. The picture I saw is no offside, but it was offside because somebody decided it.”
Everton manager Carlo
Ancelotti was delighted with his side’s performance, even though they were denied a fifth straight Premier League win.
“We competed with them,” he said. “We were 1-0 down and equalised, 2-1 down and equalised. It was a good test and I have a good feeling.
“To know we can compete with the champions of the last season it gives us more confidence for the future.”
Sadio Mane, who missed the illa Park mauling after testing positive for coronavirus, put Liverpool ahead in the third minute. But the pivotal moment in the match came when an Dijk was on the receiving end of a dangerous late lunge from Pickford inside the box minutes later.
However, no penalty was awarded after a AR review because an Dijk had been marginally offside and Pickford was lucky to avoid a red card. The Dutchman was substituted and his towering presence was missed at the other end as Michael Keane equalised in the 19th minute.
Mohamed Salah put Liverpool back in front 18 minutes from time but Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted his 10th goal of the season to pull Everton level again.
Richarlison was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Thiago Alcantara in the 90th minute and Everton were grateful for the intervention of AR in the final seconds.
Chelsea drama
Chelsea looked to be in total control after cruising into a 2-0 lead against Southampton at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of new signing Timo Werner’s first Premier League goals. But a goal from Danny Ings shortly before half-time and a secondhalf strike from Che Adams wiped out their lead.
Frank Lampard’s side rallied immediately to regain the lead, Werner teeing up Kai Havertz for a neat dinked finish to make it 3-2. But Southampton were not to be denied and Jannik estergaard bludgeoned home an added-time equaliser for Saints from a freekick that Chelsea failed to clear.
City returned to winning ways after an indifferent start to the season, courtesy of a first-half goal from Raheem Sterling.
Aguero drove forward and fed Phil Foden on the left, with the England midfielder cutting in to shoot. Bernd Leno could only parry his effort, which fell kindly for Sterling to sidefoot home.