BOB DOES THE JOB WITH LATE SHOW FOR LIVERPOOL
ROBERTO FIRMINO’S last-minute winner gave Liverpool fans an early Christmas treat as the Reds deposed Tottenham at the top of the Premier League after a breathless clash at Anfield last night.
Leaders Spurs had more than matched the champions after falling behind to Mohamed Salah’s deflected opener.
But Heung-Min Son soon levelled and Jose Mourinho’s side had the chances to win it after the break – Steven Bergwijn hitting the post – before Firmino had the final word by powerfully heading in Andrew Robertson’s corner at the death.
Liverpool, who handed teenage centreback Rhys Williams a Premier League debut, deservedly went ahead after 26 minutes. Curtis Jones caused problems by driving into the box before the ball broke to Salah to score via a big deflection off Toby Alderweireld’s thigh.
But Spurs levelled against the run of play when Son, apparently just onside, raced through from Giovani Lo Celso’s superb pass to fire past Alisson.
Bergwijn had a great chance to put the visitors ahead just 30 seconds into the second half but poked his effort wide before Harry Kane forced a back-pedalling Alisson to push away his 40-yard lob attempt.
Chances came thick and fast at both ends. A sprawling Hugo Lloris saved from Salah’s curler before a route-one move from Spurs – Kane and Son heading on – saw Bergwijn through again but the Dutchman’s strike
crashed against Alisson’s right-hand upright. Kane also should have scored but his close-range header from a corner bounced down and over the bar.
Liverpool were riding their luck but Sadio Mane was a whisker away from restoring their lead, clipping the top of the crossbar. Just as it looked as if the spoils would be shared, up popped Firmino to win it.