VVD: Three points is all that counts
don’t win it will be more difficult.”liverpool – despite keeper Alisson’s red card that will see him suspended for Wednesday’s Merseyside derby with Everton – equalled their longest-ever unbeaten run in the topflight, set in 1987-88, of 31 games.
Two-goal hero Van Dijk said: “We played a few days ago, so energy is always a little bit less than usual if you have a full week to prepare.
“But we have to deal with it and manage the game a little bit better. We could have done that better but we won and that’s the most important thing.”
The latest win gives the Reds daylight at the summit, although Leicester can cut Liverpool’s lead to eight points with a win over Everton today.
WEST HAM boss Manuel Pellegrini was given a stay of execution after Aaron Cresswell’s winner sunk CHELSEA.
But it was stand-in keeper David Martin, who replaced the error-prone Roberto, who earned the plaudits to save Pellegrini’s skin.
Martin said: “I was so nervous I had been struggling to eat for two days.”
Clinical
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho said: “I think we were not clinical. We need to be more clinical when we create the chances. We weren’t and then we conceded. And then it is difficult.”
Jose Mourinho hailed two-goal Dele Alli after TOTTENHAM survived a late scare to beat BOURNEMOUTH 3-2.
The Spurs boss, who has now won three successive games since taking over, said: “I think Dele has played three phenomenal matches since I arrived.”
Spurs midfielder Eric Dier said: “Next one (Manchester United away) is a massive game for us and also for the manager coming back to his old club. We’ve had some good results there and hopefully we can have another one.”
SOUTHAMPTON won the battle of the strugglers after James Ward-prowe’s late winner sunk bottom side WATFORD 2-1.
Danny Ings, who scored Saints’ opener, said: “It’s a massive result.”
CRYSTAL PALACE beat fellow mid-table side BURNLEY 2-0. Jeffrey Schlupp, who added to Wilfried Zaha’s opener, said: “We took our chances and scored the goals.”