MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB
Mason shows why he’s hot property as Reds stumble yet again
RESULTS & FIXTURES
Premier League – Fulham 0, Spurs 1; Liverpool 0, Chelsea 1; West Brom 0, Everton 1.
spanish Copa de Rey semi-final 2nd leg – Levante 1, Athletic Bilbao 2 (aet, 90 mins 1-1, agg: 2-3).
italian serie A – Parma 1, Inter Milan 2.
FOOTBALL TODAY
(7.45 unless stated) sky Bet Championship – Huddersfield v Cardiff.
MASON MOUNT delivered another dazzling display and deadly finish as the Chelsea kid proved once again he’s one of England’s brightest lights.
The 22-year-old attacker was sublime as the Blues handed Liverpool their fifth straight home defeat.
It also saw Thomas Tuchel reach 10 unbeaten in the other dugout.
The performance was confirmation of why Mount was treasured by ex-boss Frank Lampard and why he is prized by Gareth Southgate – he’s a mighty fine player, one of England’s best.
Everything he does shows a young player with a brilliant footballing brain and the execution skills to match.
He was too clever, too sharp for Liverpool to handle, typifying the differences between these two teams.
Delighted Blues gaffer Tuchel said: “We played with courage, never lost attitude or desire, and deserved the win and big performance.
“Everyone was very brave and sharp. It’s a six-point game because others lost. The title race is still on.”
People have stopped totting up the number of defensive combinations tried by Jurgen Klopp this season.
While he is permanently on the cusp of offside, Timo Werner’s movement is wonderfully non-stop and VAR had to be at its most microscopically annoying to rule out his effort midway through the first half.
Jorginho had chipped through a simple pass, Werner skipped past another ill-judged Alisson advance and smiled when the assistant referee kept his stick down.
But sometimes, you now get the feeling characters in Stockley Park are just taking pleasure in winding people up. They must sit back and chuckle at the social media foaming.
Anyhow, the hairline call took a little spring from the Chelsea step but Pool were not in a capitalising groove. Far from it.
And when Mount collected N’Golo Kante’s pass, ignored Fabinho’s socially distant attentions and cut inside to score, it was no more than Chelsea deserved.
It was an accomplished individual goal but the defending was a little basic, to say the least. A little like Klopp’s system.
Without Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in midfield, there is insufficient pressure to block the simple ball over a high defensive line.
Liverpool’s best form of defence is to have possession high up the field and they had
PAGE 57 a little more of that after the break.
But although they had an understandable request for VAR to get involved with a Kante handball, chances were at a premium.
No wonder Mohamed Salah cut an agitated figure, threw a strop and kicked a cool box when he was hooked just after the hour.
Klopp can handle that sort of reaction but the tantrum shone a light on frustration that is running through Liverpool’s camp.
The Reds gaffer said: “The individual quality of Mount in that moment made the difference. It was a tight, intense game. Both teams invested a lot.
“Unfortunately we can’t say it is only at home. It is not about Anfield or whatever, it happens too often.
“In the decisive moments we have to improve. We have to show our quality in these moments and we don’t do that often enough.”
ROBBIE NEILSON reckons some folks have selective memories when comparing Hearts’ campaign to their history-making cruise in 2014-15.
The 40-year-old was at the helm then as the Jambos blew away their Championship competition, setting a record points total of 91 to finish 21 clear of arch rivals Hibs. That was never going to be possible this time around in a shortened 27-game season, although the class of 2020-21 can extend the gap at the top to 15 points by beating Dundee at Tynecastle tomorrow. Hearts have come in for flak from their own fans after three 1-1 draws on the trot but Neilson has issued a reminder it wasn’t all about high-scoring, easy wins six years ago either.
He said: “People forget some of the games we played down here the last time.
“I remember going down to Dumbarton and drawing. I remember Falkirk coming here and winning. There were a lot of 1-0 wins, a few 0-0s in there, a few lastminute winners. “I can recall Adam Eckersley scoring at
Alloa in the 91st minute with a deflected free-kick. Yes, there were some really good results, similar to this season.
“But there are always wee sticky ones here and there. It’s about getting over the line. We’d love to do it in style.”
Owner Ann Budge admitted earlier this week Hearts are facing a £7million drop in turnover as a result of being in the second tier during the pandemic.
But Neilson is reassured that the club have continued to plan for the long term – unlike others – and can still add to what he hopes will be a Premiership squad.
He said: “The financial backing of the Foundation of Hearts is unbelievable. It keeps us afloat and moving forward. The money from James Anderson is similar.
“We’re in a financial position where we can move forward.
“We brought in players in January and we’re still planning to bring players in this summer to make sure we strengthen.
“Hopefully that’s strengthening for the top flight.”
There is good news for the Jambos as Neilson has confirmed John Souttar is back in full training after more than a year out.
The Gorgie gaffer added: “We’ll just see how it goes. The main plan was to get him back for pre-season.
“The likelihood is we can get him back a bit earlier but the timescale will be based on how John feels. He’s doing really well and he’ll keep pushing forward.”